Real Betis - Rayo Vallecano end 1-1 after VAR interruptions and 14 minutes of added time

In a tense encounter that saw two lengthy VAR reviews and a 14-minute stoppage, real betis - rayo vallecano finished 1-1, halting Betis’s three-game winning run and giving Rayo a point heading into the derby.

Real Betis - Rayo Vallecano: early lead, late equaliser and VAR delays

Bakambu put Betis ahead after a scramble when Ruibal’s cross was blocked by Batalla and the rebound fell to him; Isi levelled for Rayo with a simple finish from a Ratiu cross just before halftime. The match featured two major VAR interventions: one shortly after the restart around the 48th minute for a possible foul on Cucho, and a second, longer review near the 86th minute over a challenge by Valentín on Ratiu. Referee Martínez Munuera ultimately kept both on-field decisions and the game was extended by 14 minutes.

Antony’s late miss, Batalla’s save and a physical second half

Betis had a clear chance to win deep into stoppage when Antony dribbled past Batalla but fired wide or was denied by a save, leaving the score at 1-1. Cucho entered the second half and suffered a heavy challenge on the edge of the area that stopped play for about five minutes while the referee was signalled to check the monitor. Rayo created chances through Isi and Ciss in the second half and at times enjoyed more possession, while Betis produced the more dangerous arrivals into the box.

Coaches and players frustrated by VAR interruptions

Pellegrini criticised the VAR as an "interference unnecessary" and praised Martínez Munuera for keeping his original calls, saying he felt the referee "had the personality" to maintain decisions after visits to the monitor. Llorente called out the repeat stoppages, saying an on-field decision of a yellow would have sufficed and that long VAR checks "do a disservice to the flow of football. " Isi highlighted the point’s value, noting the team had "four points from six" and that the second half they had been superior.

The draw leaves Betis’s run checked after three straight wins and gives Rayo a valuable point in their fight to stay clear in the standings; Álvaro García noted the importance of taking points away from home and said the squad must keep competing. With the derby looming for Betis, both teams now turn their attention to the next matches on their calendars: Betis face the local derby and Rayo aim to build on this point in the weeks ahead.