Real Betis 2 - 2 Granada CF: Alex Alegria brace earns Real Betis a point with 10-man Granada

Posted Saturday, September 17, 2016 by PA

Alex Alegria scored twice as Real Betis came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with 10-man Granada in Friday's LaLiga action at Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Granada opened the scoring after 13 minutes through Mehdi Carcela, who brought down a wonderful pass from Omer Atzili to curl a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Carcela's mazy run broke to Alberto Bueno who slammed home a right-footed strike as Granada looked to have the game comfortably in their hands.

But Alex Alegria halved the deficit for Betis before the break with a bullet header after connecting with Ruben Castro's cross.

They continued to pressurise the Nazaries with Joaquin going close with a free-kick that brushed Guillermo Ochoa's post before they were boosted by the second booking of centre-back Ruben Vezo with 37 minutes remaining.

Alegria levelled in the 61st minute with a composed left-footed finish to set up a dramatic half-an-hour with a one-man advantage as the hosts pushed for the winner.

However, a quick counter-attack from the away side put Atzili through on goal but was brought down by goalkeeper Antonio Adan.

But Adan amended for his mistake immediately by saving Ezequiel Ponce's penalty and the follow-up effort from Andreas Pereira as Granada failed to capitalise on a wonderful chance to snatch victory.

Ponce and Castro had great opportunities to win the match at opposite ends of the pitch but neither side could get the winner that the match so desperately deserved.