Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Record Crowd Witness Electric Seville Derby Training and Victory
More than 46,000 fans flocked to see Real Betis and Sevilla this past weekend, but the highly anticipated Seville derby clash was scheduled for the following evening. Remarkably, 33 hours later, an even larger multitude returned to the Benito Villamarín stadium, amplifying the fervor. Saturday’s impressive attendance, the second highest in Spain, watched the city’s passionate rivals in a training session. Sunday witnessed a record-breaking crowd of 58,538 spectators, who remained inside, chanting late into a night etched in memory. The stadium vibrated as home supporters passionately sang the club’s anthem amidst plumes of smoke while players commenced a celebratory lap. In the midst of the exuberant scene, Antony dos Santos, shirtless and hoisted upon goalkeeper Adrián San Miguel’s shoulders, waved a colossal flag. “This is incredible,” he exclaimed, capturing the atmosphere perfectly.
Antony’s Derby Debut: An Unforgettable Experience
For Antony, experiencing his first Seville derby, the spectacle was unparalleled, surpassing even his experiences at Ajax and Manchester United, evoking memories of the fervor seen in Brazil. This electrifying atmosphere wasn’t exclusive to the newcomer. The stadium erupted in celebration, an extra layer of intensity present this time. Betis players lingered on the pitch for half an hour post-match, parading before heading to the corridors, singing and banging on doors, joyfully opening beers. Their elation resembled a Champions League triumph. Isco Alarcón, a five-time Champions League winner himself, remarked that concerning “feeling, vibrations, this is undoubtedly the most special game there is.” Isco and his teammates revelled in the moment, basking in the superior sensation of defeating Sevilla 2-1 in this intense rivalry.
Match Highlights: Betis Secures Derby Victory
Despite conceding an initial goal by Rubén Vargas in the 17th minute, Betis mounted a comeback. Johnny Cardoso’s stunning volley and Cucho Hernández’s clinical strike before halftime secured a well-deserved victory for Betis. Diario de Sevilla newspaper concluded, “the best team wins the derby, and that’s Betis.” While understated in print, within the Villamarín, this victory resonated profoundly. The pitch overflowed with jubilant fans at the final whistle, embracing each other in elation. Marca described the scene as “total ecstasy,” while Diario de Sevilla hailed “euphoria in green and white,” and ABC captured it as “passion dyed green”—all accurate depictions. “Amazing,” Isco reiterated. Adrián emphatically stated, “I’ve been at big clubs with incredible fans, but never seen this. This is what this lovely sport gives us.”
Seven-Year Wait Ends for Betis Derby Win
The Betis faithful had patiently awaited this moment. Their last La Liga derby triumph dated back almost seven years. On that occasion, Joaquín Sánchez, at 37, scored the decisive goal, famously declaring he could “leave football a happy man now.” He continued playing for another four years. Now a club director, Joaquín, known for once jokingly suggesting fines for players who didn’t celebrate a derby win until 5 am, watched from the stands in a suit and tie before joining the jubilant celebrations, ready for another party.
Seville: A City Divided by Passionate Football Rivalry
This Seville derby possesses a unique character, especially off the pitch. On-field action, admittedly, is often less captivating, making Sunday night’s encounter and subsequent celebrations even more exceptional. Seville, a city of approximately 687,000 residents, intensely embodies local football rivalry. It boasts two clubs with over 90,000 members each – ranking third and fifth in Spain respectively – and 206 supporter clubs within the city limits. On Saturday, an astonishing 31,500 fans attended Betis training at the Villamarín and 15,231 watched Sevilla train at the Sánchez Pizjuán, located just three miles north, showcasing the immense local passion.
“A Derby Like God Wills It”: Faith and Football Converge
An ABC cover aptly proclaimed it “a derby like God wills it.” The front page featured Begona Navia-Osorio, 84, and Isabel Maria Rus-Velaquez, 80, two nuns, one supporting each club, holding their team scarves. It was Laetere Sunday, a slight respite in Lent, and Seville derby day, a day for the city to fully release its emotions. On Avenida de la Palmera, leading from the city center along the Guadalquivir River towards Heliopolis, church doors at Parroquia Corpus Christi remained open. Sermons could be heard from the street, with football shirts visible amongst the back pews. As Isaiah 66:10 suggests, “Rejoice,” and rejoice they did.
Pre-Match Atmosphere and On-Pitch Confrontation
Just a short distance further, stadium gates opened, children perched on shoulders, waving flares as the team bus slowly progressed towards the Villamarín from the Al-Andalus hotel. Inside the bus, phones recorded glimpses through tinted windows. “I recorded people crying with emotion,” Isco confessed. Inside the stadium, every seat displayed a green Betis flag, almost. In the Sevilla section, fans, escorted past the local hospital where they applauded patients watching from windows, held white Betis flags with the badge crossed out. And in the main stand, opportunistic early arrivals filled bags with flags before the general seating.
Derby Day Drama: Banner, Ballboy Incident, and Tactical Battle
The match intensity ignited even before kickoff. A minor scuffle erupted when a Sevilla coach pushed a ballboy collecting equipment after warm-ups. A large banner unfurled across the south stand, depicting two angels crowning the Betis badge from 1919-22, a line from Antonio Rodriguez-Buzón’s poem to the Macarena. Then, the football commenced. Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini emphasized “hot hearts and cool heads” for the game. Betis entered as the favored team, boasting superior players and a stronger recent form, winning five consecutive matches compared to Sevilla’s two wins in eight. However, derby history loomed, Betis having not won in the previous 12 encounters. Pellegrini’s primary concern was managing the overwhelming desire to break this winless streak.
Betis Comeback and Dominance
When Sevilla took the lead in the 17th minute, Vargas converting a superb assist from Dodi Lukebakio, the historical derby anxieties might have intensified. Betis hadn’t recovered from a goal down to win a home derby since 1940. “Nah, it was all under control,” Adrián joked post-match. Despite the jest, his sentiment reflected reality. Betis confidently overturned the deficit, seizing control and establishing a lead before halftime.
Key Players Shine for Betis
Pablo Fornals and Cardoso asserted dominance in midfield. Sevilla struggled to contain Hernández, whose impressive streak continued: six games played, six wins since joining. Jesús Rodríguez, 19, reminiscent of Joaquín, demonstrated dynamism on the left flank. Antony, despite some footing issues and boot changes – “I’m going to have to speak to Puma” – provided a constant outlet on the right, a player who declared, “I have found myself here.” Isco affirmed Antony “has changed us” so significantly that he jokingly suggested crowdfunding to retain him for another year.
Isco’s Brilliance and Antony’s Admiration
Regarding Isco, who described Betis as “my light in the darkness,” revitalized after six months away from football, his assist for Hernández’s second goal was exquisite. A delicate touch epitomizing his refined play. “He’s a superstar,” Antony admiringly declared, gazing at Isco like a devoted fan.
Unrestrained Celebrations Erupt After Derby Win
Following Betis’s second goal, substitutes rushed onto the field from the bench. At the final whistle, nearly the entire club staff joined the on-pitch celebrations. Antony, after a skillful rainbow flick near the corner flag, sprinted upfield leading a final attack when he realized victory was secured. He ripped off his shirt and roared, pointing at the pitch, proclaiming, “this is my place now.” Isco and Gio Lo Celso embraced Pellegrini. Marc Bartra gestured to the club badge. “Freed from Desire” blasted through the stadium speakers. Cucho leaped into the crowd, Chimy Ávila chasing after him. They paraded a green plush toy like a cherished prize. Adrián lifted Antony onto his shoulders, and the jubilant procession continued.
Betis Savors Victory as Sevilla Retreats
For much of the evening, Betis demonstrably controlled the game. Past 11 pm, only one team remained on the pitch. Sevilla retreated to the tunnel in defeat, “swallowing poison,” as described by their captain, leaving 600 supporters waiting in the north stand who maintained their vocal support. Betis remained, savoring every moment, the stands reverberating with cheers. The club anthem played repeatedly, followed by encores of “Freed from Desire.” Beyond championship finals, such unrestrained post-match jubilation is rarely witnessed. Long after the final whistle, celebratory horns echoed throughout Avenida de la Palmera.
Focus Shifts to Future Aspirations Despite Derby Delight
This marked Pellegrini’s first league derby victory. While acknowledging the significance, he swiftly pointed out Betis’s prior cup derby win – “without that, we wouldn’t have won the trophy” – and recognized the fans’ importance. “Winning the derby can never be the sole objective,” he stated, emphasizing the crucial pursuit of Champions League qualification. Isco echoed this sentiment, mentioning “getting those little stars on our sleeves,” labeling the derby win “a win that allows us to dream of big things.” This sixth consecutive victory placed them level with Villarreal for fifth place in La Liga.
Emotional Victory Before Stadium Redevelopment
But in that specific moment, the victory felt profoundly significant, occurring on the final derby night at the Villamarín before Betis temporarily relocates for stadium renovations. “It’s going to be a long night: I hope there’s a celebration befitting this,” Rodríguez remarked. Adrián suggested, “It’s a night for wine or champagne or whatever,” admitting to shedding tears, knowing he wasn’t alone in his emotional response. “I feel very emotional: what I have lived in Seville this week I have never lived anywhere else,” Hernández expressed. “Tonight, we will celebrate because we deserve it.” As the stadium gradually emptied, Isco and Antony shared a beer, their immediate mission accomplished. “Making people happy is what this sport is for,” Isco concluded.