Real Betis Return to Champions League After 21-Year Absence

Real Betis secured a return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 21 years with a 2-1 victory over Elche CF in La Liga on Tuesday. The win at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville confirmed a fifth-place finish for the home side, clinching Spain's final Champions League qualification spot with one match remaining in the season.

The result lifts Betis to 57 points, opening an unassailable seven-point gap over sixth-place Celta Vigo. The victory finalizes Spain's five representatives for next season's Champions League, which will include FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villarreal CF, and Atlético Madrid alongside Betis.

Cucho Hernández gave Betis an early lead in the ninth minute with a finish from outside the area. Elche, managed by Eder Sarabia, equalized against the run of play shortly before halftime when Héctor Fort, on loan from Barcelona, found the top corner in the 41st minute.

The match's decisive moment came early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Elche defender Léo Pétrot was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge. Playing with a man advantage, Betis increased the pressure and found a winner in the 68th minute through Pablo Fornals, who ended a...