Villarreal made a major statement in the race for European qualification with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win over Real Betis on Matchday 31 of the 2024–25 La Liga season.

Aitor Ruibal gave the hosts a dream start in Seville, putting Betis ahead inside the opening minutes. But that early spark quickly faded as the Yellow Submarine took control. Thiérry Ndikumasabo Barri brought Villarreal level, and Ayoze Pérez delivered the winner — a clinical finish that silenced the Estadio Benito Villamarín.

The result is a huge blow to Betis, who saw their six-match winning streak ended by Barcelona just one round earlier and have now followed it up with a costly home defeat. They remain in sixth place, but Villarreal have closed the gap to just three points — reigniting the battle for Europa League qualification.

See the updated standings in the La Liga table.

2024-25, Spain - La Liga

Real Betis - Villarreal 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Ruibal, 3 (1:0); Barry T., 26 (1:1); Perez A., 48 (1:2)

Real Betis: Adrian; Diego Llorente (Natan, 45); Bartra; Perraud; Cardoso Joao (Altimira, 71); Fornals (Carvalho W., 71); Caraballo (Lo Celso, 61); Antony M.; Cucho (Bakambu, 61); Isco; Ruibal
Bench: Vieites; Pallarés; Bellerin; Rodriguez; Sabaly; Roca

Villarreal: Júnior L.; Costa Lo.; Foyth; Cardona S.; Pedraza A. (Denis Suarez, 68); Dani Parejo (Kambwala, 78); Comesaña; Kiko; Pino Y. (Pépé N., 68); Barry T. (Bailly, 90); Perez A. (Solà, 78)
Bench: Conde; Badenes; Gerard Moreno
Yellow Cards: Foyth 8; Barry T. 12; Júnior L. 52; Cardona S. 86