After a strong campaign, Betis’ form has nosedived in recent weeks, and their previous stranglehold on the UEFA Europa League qualification spot has significantly weakened.
In Osasuna, they faced a side that had lost just two of their last 11 LaLiga games, but they started strongly and broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.
The home side were hit by a swift counter, as Hector Bellerin played a perfect through ball into Abde Ezzalzouli’s path before the Morocco international swept home from outside the area.
In response, Osasuna almost equalised, only for Valentin Gomez to produce a fantastic block to deny Jon Moncayola at the back post. Ezzalzouli, meanwhile, was a threat throughout the first 45 minutes, and forced Sergio Herrera into a fantastic stop with an effort from around 25 yards out.
Nevertheless, with a little less than 10 minutes to go before the break, Osasuna were handed a lifeline in the form of a penalty when Gomez brought down Jorge Herrando after Alvaro Valles had kept out Ante Budimir’s header.
Only Vedat Muriqi and Kylian Mbappe had scored more LaLiga goals this term than Budimir’s pre-match total of 15, and the Croatia international added another to his tally from 12 yards to level the scoreline.
After the restart, Osasuna were the more dangerous, and had two fantastic chances through livewire Victor Munoz to move in front. First, Valles did brilliantly to tip his curling shot over the crossbar, before his own teammate Budimir got in the way of his close-range effort.
Iker Munoz was next to go close, firing a low free-kick narrowly past the post, before Ezzalzouli tested Herrera at the other end as the visitors finally made a memorable foray forward.
Ultimately, though, neither side could find the winner they craved, meaning Betis could drop down to sixth should Celta Vigo beat Real Oviedo later on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Osasuna are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches in front of their own supporters, and their own hopes of European football remain alive as they sit five points adrift of the top six with seven games remaining.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Abde Ezzalzouli (Real Betis)
