Betis come from behind to win Champions League opener through Bartra brace and Parrott goal

Real Betis marked their return to the Champions League after 21 years with a 3-2 comeback win away to Lille. Marc Bartra scored twice and Troy Parrott completed the turnaround in a match that ended with the French side down to 10 men.

Lille took the lead after 12 minutes when Japan international Ayase Ueda headed in a cross from Ethan Mbappé. Bartra equalized in the 33rd minute, also with a header, but Alexsandro Ribeiro restored Lille’s advantage from a corner three minutes later.

Betis levelled again soon after the restart, with Bartra heading in his second goal. Parrott then scored the decisive goal shortly before Ethan Mbappé’s dismissal in the 56th minute for an elbow on Brazilian defender Natan.

The match at the Pierre Mauroy stadium brought together two ambitious teams making their Champions League debuts this season. Lille coach Davide Ancelotti, 37, made his debut in the competition, while Betis were led by the 72-year-old Manuel Pellegrini. Betis had started strongly in their domestic league, including a 1-0 win over Real Madrid, and began the match with Isco Alarcón, Antony and Riquelme in attack.