Luiz Henrique header gives Real Betis dramatic late win over AS Roma and control of Group C

A late header from Luiz Henrique gave Real Betis a 2-1 win over AS Roma in Italy and maintained their 100% start to the Europa League group stages. The visitors, who made nine changes from their weekend defeat to Celta Vigo, nearly broke the deadlock early on when Nabil Fekir rattled the post with a low effort.

That proved to be his final involvement though, as the French international limped off minutes later through injury. Ad Roma, who in typical Jose Mourinho fashion were sat very deep, showed little attacking threat, but opened the scoring through Paulo Dybala’s penalty after being gifted a cheap penalty, via VAR, for handball against Andres Guardado.

Serie ASmalling grabs late winner as Roma come from behind to beat Inter01/10/2022 AT 15:20 Five minutes later, the game was all square again as Guido Rodriguez unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt from 25-yards that arrowed into the bottom corner. There was still time for Nicolo Zaniolo to rattle the woodwork from Nicola Zalewski’s cross before the break, while Dybale forced a sensational finger-tip stop out of Claudio Bravo seconds later.

The former Manchester City goalkeeper was on hand to make another excellent save, this time from Bryan Cristante, after half-time. Chances though were rare, as both teams struggled to break down sturdy opposition defences.

In the final minutes Henrique's brilliant header beat Patricio for what proved to be the winner whilst Roma's frustration boiled over in added time when Nicolo Zaniolo was shown a red card. Europa League group standings Europa League fixtures / results Europa League top scorers TALKING POINT — Harsh penalty opens door for Roma’s opener It is fair to say that not everybody knows exactly how the handball rule works