Real Betis earned a vital 2–1 win over Valencia on Matchday 22 of LaLiga, but the night also carried a powerful message against racism involving Abdessamad Ezzalzouli.
The match, played at La Cartuja, saw Betis strengthen their push for European spots after a dramatic late winner from Pablo Fornals.
Valencia missed an early chance when Pepelu had a 13th-minute penalty saved by goalkeeper Álvaro Valles, before Luis Rioja put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute.
Betis responded quickly, with Chimy Ávila equalising from the spot just three minutes later. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when Fornals converted a cross from Nelson Deossa to seal the comeback.
What followed drew just as much attention as the goal itself. Fornals ran to celebrate with Abde Ezzalzouli and mimed lighting a cigarette for him, a direct response to racist and xenophobic taunts the Moroccan winger endured at Mestalla in the reverse fixture, where rival fans shouted “Abde, give me a cigarette.”
The Betis midfielder also pointed out that, unlike other racism cases involving Real Madrid or Barcelona players, no sanctions were taken over the abuse aimed at his teammate.
