Betis Stun Lille in Champions League Return as Mbappé’s Brother Is Sent Off

Real Betis marked its return to the Champions League after 21 years with a 3-2 comeback win at Lille, in a match that also ended with the dismissal of Ethan Mbappé.

Lille led 2-1 at halftime after a first half marked by defensive lapses and three headed goals. Ayase Ueda opened the scoring in the 12th minute, heading in a cross from Ethan Mbappé. Betis captain Marc Bartra equalized in the 33rd minute with a header from a Fornals cross, but Lille regained the lead three minutes later when Alexsandro Ribeiro headed in from a corner.

Betis changed the direction of the match after the break. Bartra scored his second goal, again with a header, to make it 2-2. Irish forward Troy Parrott then scored the decisive goal shortly before Ethan Mbappé was shown a red card in the 56th minute for an elbow on Brazilian defender Natan.

The match brought together two ambitious teams making their Champions League debuts this season. Betis returned to the competition more than two decades after its first appearance. Lille’s coach was 37-year-old Italian Davide Ancelotti, making his debut in the tournament, while Betis was led by 72-year-old Chilean Manuel Pellegrini.

Valentín Gómez entered for Betis in the second half, while Giovani Lo Celso remained on the bench. Betis started with Isco Alarcón directing play and Antony and Riquelme on the wings. Lille left veteran Olivier Giroud among the substitutes as Ethan Mbappé, Ueda and Haraldsson formed part of its attacking setup.