Real Betis beats Lille 3-2 in Champions League opener

Real Betis beat Lille 3-2 on Sept. 8, 2026, in the opening match of their Champions League campaigns. Troy Parrott scored the winning goal in the second half after Lille had taken the lead twice. Real Betis finished with 20 shots to Lille’s six and earned three points in the league-phase table. (BBC Sport, AS USA)

How Real Betis won

Lille went ahead in the 11th minute when Ayase Ueda headed in Ethan Mbappé’s delivery. Marc Bartra equalized for Real Betis in the 32nd minute with a header from Pablo Fornals’ cross. Lille regained the lead three minutes later when Alexsandro headed in Gaëtan Perrin’s corner. (AS USA, BBC Sport)

Bartra scored again three minutes after halftime. He directed an Isco free kick past Lille goalkeeper Berke Özer. Parrott then completed the comeback in the 52nd minute with a low shot into the bottom-right corner after a fast break. (AS USA)

Lille’s task became harder three minutes later. Ethan Mbappé was sent off for violent conduct after a video assistant referee (VAR) review upgraded his card. The match report recorded the red card in the 55th minute. (AS USA)

Real Betis completed the comeback while producing more attempts than Lille. It had 20 shots and five on target, compared with six shots and two on target for Lille. Real Betis also had 55.4% possession and 31 touches inside the Lille penalty area, while Lille had 44.6% possession and 13 touches in the box. (BBC Sport)

Why it matters

The result gives Real Betis three points and puts the club third in the Champions League table after the opening round of matches. Lille has no points and is listed in 33rd place. (BBC Sport)

The win also begins Real Betis’ return to the competition after the 2005-06 campaign, according to Goal. Real Betis will host Porto on Oct. 14, 2026, while Lille’s next Champions League match is away to Arsenal on Oct. 13, 2026. (Goal, BBC Sport)