Moroccan Winger, Abde Ezzalzouli struck a dramatic extra-time winner as Real Betis secured a 4-3 aggregate victory over Fiorentina, booking their place in a first-ever major European final.
The Spanish side, who edged the first leg 2-1 in Seville, drew 2-2 on the night in Florence to deny Fiorentina a third consecutive UEFA Europa Conference League final appearance.
Ezzalzouli’s decisive moment came in the second half of extra time, capping a blistering counterattack. Manchester United loanee Antony raced down the right wing and squared an inch-perfect cross for the Moroccan winger, who lashed his finish past David de Gea to seal Betis’ historic progression.
Antony had earlier opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a superbly taken free kick, curling the ball over the wall and beyond the outstretched arms of De Gea to extend Betis’ aggregate lead.
Fiorentina, however, roared back before halftime through Robin Gosens. The German midfielder equalised on the night by glancing in a near-post header and then made it 2-1 minutes later, powering another header into the top corner to bring the tie level at 3-3 overall.
Despite the momentum, Fiorentina faded in the later stages and were ultimately undone by Betis’ counterpunch in extra time.
Isco had a chance to add a fourth for Betis but fired over the bar, though it mattered little in the end as Manuel Pellegrini’s men held firm through a tense finale to complete a landmark victory.
Real Betis will now face Chelsea in the Conference League final at Stadion Wrocław on Wednesday, May 28. The London club booked their spot with a 1-0 win over Djurgarden at Stamford Bridge, completing a dominant 5-1 aggregate triumph.
