Conference League | Real Betis 2-1 Fiorentina: Ranieri gives Viola hope

SEVILLE, SPAIN – MAY 01: Luca Ranieri of Fiorentina scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Real Betis Balompie and ACF Fiorentina at Estadio Benito Villamarin on May 01, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Luca Ranieri has given Fiorentina hope of a third straight Conference League Final, halving the Real Betis lead from the first leg after Abde Ezzalzouli and Antony strikes.

The Viola did not risk Moise Kean from the start after a week out and missing two Serie A games while dealing with a family matter, while Dodo was out after surgery for appendicitis. Betis missed Marc Roca and Diego Llorente, but had striker Cedric Bakambu back, starting Napoli-owned defender Natan.

The second leg will be at the Stadio Franchi on May 8, as Fiorentina try to reach their third consecutive Conference League Final.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Betis took an early lead when Bakambu shrugged off Pietro Comuzzo to get down the right, pulled back from the by-line and Abde Ezzalzouli blasted the finish onto the underside of the crossbar from close range, completely crossing the line.

Isco intercepted a wayward pass and curled right-footed just wide from the edge of the area, but Fiorentina started putting together long spells of possession and should’ve equalised when Rolando Mandragora nodded a Robin Gosens cross inches wide from 10 yards.

Cataldi setback for Fiorentina

Danilo Cataldi had a shot charged down from the edge of the area, but suffered a muscular problem in the process and was replaced by Yacine Adli.

Betis had a huge opportunity to double their lead on the stroke of half-time, as Luca Ranieri and Marin Pongracic got into a muddle on a corner, sitting up kindly only for Marc Bartra to blast over from 10 yards.

Fran Vietes was quick off his line to smother at the feet of Lucas Beltran, as Fabiano Parisi rolled across from the right.

Moise Kean came on for the restart, but it was David De Gea who took centre-stage with a spectacular one-handed reaction save on the Batra header from Isco’s free kick.

Vietes was again alert to rush out as Kean controlled a deflected Gosens cross, but just as Fiorentina were pinning Betis back, they conceded a second.

Antony had his first attempt charged down from the edge of the area by Ranieri, it bounced back into his path and he smashed the rebound into the roof of the net on the half-volley.

WOW! 🚀

What a finish from Antony!

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Sm8wDqYUOA

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025

Pablo Fornals should’ve had a third soon after, but his finish was straight at De Gea following the smart Bakambu lay-off.

Instead, Fiorentina got a deserved goal when Gosens controlled a ball over the top and pulled it back from the left for defender Ranieri to drill home from 12 yards.

It was so nearly 2-2 moments later, Gosens watching his header from a Rolando Mandragora corner graze a coat of paint off the far post.

Bartra also sent a header just wide on a corner routine, but in stoppages Michael Folorunsho lunged into a very risky tackle on Giovanni Lo Celso, with the referee and VAR waving play on.

Real Betis 2-1 Fiorentina

Ezzalzouli 6 (B), Antony 64 (B), Ranieri 73 (F)

25

5

6

15

22

4

18

78′

24

7

11

10

62′

43

65

68′

6

5

15

32

29′

44

68′

21

8

10

84′

9

46′

12

13

2

23

32

41

36

52

20

62′

16

78′

1

23

30

63

22

29

29′

20

46′

90

68′

24

68′

17

84′