Eibar come off second best in 2-0 defeat at Betis

Eibar slumped to defeat against Real Betis in the sides' LaLiga Matchday 31 fixture, a contest that became an uphill struggle for the visitors as soon as Sergio León put Betis in front in the 21st minute. The hosts were clinical in front of goal and prevented the Armeros from fashioning any clear-cut chances. Right at the start of the second period, Betis set themselves firmly on the way to victory after benefiting from a slice of good fortune to put paid to Eibar's hopes of staging a comeback.

The visitors made a strong start to proceedings as their high press in Betis's half hampered the hosts' efforts to play the ball out from the back, with José Luis Mendilibar's charges getting themselves on top in the early stages. Los Verdiblancos, meanwhile, looked to strike on the counter with the inspired Ryad Boudebouz pulling the strings. In the 21st minute, Antonio Barragán sent Sergio León clean through on goal and he fired past Marko Dmitrović to hand the Sevillians the lead.

Eibar looked to hit back immediately and nearly levelled terms just minutes later through a powerful Iván Ramos header from Pedro León's free-kick. However, Dani Giménez was on hand to palm the ball over the bar. The Armeros kept plugging away throughout the remainder of the first period as they enjoyed the lion's share of possession and whilst they threatened in and around the Betis box, they failed to really create any chances of note.

Just four minutes after the restart, Betis doubled their advantage after Anaitz Arbilla stabbed the ball into his own net as he attempted to avert the danger. The goal left Mendilibar's men with it all to do but the visitors didn't relinquish hope and continued to hound their opponents with real intensity.

However, the hosts gradually began to boss possession and had the chances to build on their lead, particularly in the closing stages and following Rubén Castro's introduction. There was, however, no change to the scoreline as Betis ran out 2-0 winners.