Abde Ezzalzouli proved the super-sub as his goal in extra time earned Real Betis a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory and a place in the Conference League final.
2024/2025 UEFA Europa Conference League
2-2
Match Report
Antony's exquisite free-kick had Betis, 2-1 victors in the first leg, ahead in the game, but Robin Gosens' double saw Fiorentina fight back at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
But, just like in the first leg last week, Ezzalzouli was on target as Manuel Pellegrini's men punched their ticket to face Chelsea in the final in Wroclaw on May 28.
Antony was twice thwarted by former Manchester United team-mate David De Gea, while Pietro Comuzzo had a looping header cleared off the line in the opening exchanges.
Betis had the lead after 30 minutes when Antony bent a sublime 30-yard free-kick into the top-left corner, but Fiorentina hit back quickly with Gosens leaping high to head home Rolando Mandragora's corner.
Incredibly, after Johnny Cardoso hammered the bar for Betis, Gosens had a second from a corner to level the tie three minutes before the break, this time glancing home Yacine Adli's delivery.
Gosens volleyed wide for Fiorentina and flicked on a header that Moise Kean almost connected with, while De Gea made a superb double intervention from Antony and Ezzalzouli late on to ensure extra time.
Ezzalzouli made no mistake in the first half of extra time, though, firing home at the back post from Antony's fantastic centre from the right of the box to leave De Gea no chance.
The Betis forward also struck the post deep into the second half of extra time, but it ultimately mattered little as the LaLiga outfit saw out the job to book their date with Chelsea.
Real Betis lead as we reach half-time in extra-time #UECL pic.twitter.com/CGhBeG8vKc
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 8, 2025
Data Debrief: Pellegrini gets it right with Ezzalzouli sub
Ezzalzouli proved an inspired substitution from Pellegrini.
The forward attempted seven shots, with the all-important winner his third goal of the 2024-2025 Conference League.
Antony has looked a player reborn since moving to Betis on loan from United in January, and his third assist of the tournament is the most of any Betis player.
Fiorentina threatened to turn the tie around, and their 12 first-half goals in 12 games is a tally bettered only by Chelsea (19) in the Conference League. Indeed, they have five in the last 15 minutes of the first half, with Chelsea (nine) and Lugano (six) the only teams with more.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
9' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
15' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
20' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
22' Highlight from Fiorentina vs Betis
23' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
30' WHAT A GOAL! Antony's free-kick opens scoring! Fiorentina 0-1 Betis (agg 0-2)
34' GOAL! Fiorentina 1-1 Betis (Robin Gosens)
40' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
42' GOAL! Fiorentina 2-1 Betis (Gosens)
55' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
60' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
67' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
85' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
90' Highlight from Fiorentina vs Betis
95' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
98' GOAL! Antony assists Abde to take the lead! Fiorentina 2-2 Betis (agg 2-3)
110' Match Event for Fiorentina vs Betis
Line-ups
Fiorentina XI: De Gea, Albert Gudmundsson, Gosens, Mandragora, Marin Pongračić, Dodô, Kean, Yacine Adli, L. Ranieri, Fagioli, Pietro Comuzzo
Subs: Pietro Terracciano, Zaniolo, Michael Folorunsho, Andrea Colpani, Lucas Beltrán, Fabiano Parisi, Amir Richardson, Tommaso Martinelli, Maat Daniel Caprini, Matías Moreno
Betis XI: Rodriguez, Isco, Bartra, Bakambu, Sabaly, Lo Celso, Fornals, Fran Vieites, Antony, Johnny Cardoso, Natan
Subs: Adrian, Bellerin, Perraud, Ruibal, Abde Ezzalzouli, Sergi Altimira, Nobel Mendy, Germán García, Jesús Rodríguez, Pablo García