Betis scrape dramatic Copa del Rey win despite Fidalgo's absence

Sin Álvaro Fidalgo, Real Betis endured a tense Futbol Copa del Rey tie, eventually edging Navalcarnero 3‑2 after extra time, despite missing midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo, who was with the Mexican national team preparing for matches against Jamaica.

Absences and early dominance

Betis arrived at the fixture with several players missing because of the FIFA international window, notably midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo who was called up by the Selección Mexicana. Nevertheless, Manuel Pellegrini’s side entered as favourites against Segunda Federación opponents Navalcarnero. The Verdiblancos began brightly, with Rodrigo Riquelme opening the scoring after Antony’s feint bewildered goalkeeper Álvaro Calado. The home side kept control in the first half but failed to double the lead, squandering two one‑on‑one chances that the local keeper saved.

Second‑half comeback and stoppage‑time drama

Navalcarnero raised their intensity after the break and drew level when a Peque strike struck the post, rebounded off goalkeeper Diego Conde and was tapped in by Varo. The equaliser sparked a surge that saw the visitors go ahead 2‑1, threatening a historic elimination for Betis. When the surprise seemed imminent, academy graduate Rodri Marina, making his first‑team debut, netted in stoppage time to force 2‑2 and send the tie to extra time.

In the extra period, Navalcarnero’s fatigue allowed Betis to regain momentum, and Rodrigo Riquelme struck again after a Diego Llorente header that Álvaro Calado could not hold, sealing a 3‑2 victory. The win rescued Los Verdiblancos from an early Copa del Rey exit and kept Pellegrini’s campaign alive. Meanwhile, Mexican midfielder Rodrigo Marina Parra remains with the Selección Mexicana as they prepare for their upcoming duels against Jamaica.