Moroccan international Ez Abde delivered a decisive contribution as Real Betis fought back to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.
The Atlas Lions winger broke the deadlock shortly after the interval, setting the tone for a dramatic second half that saw both sides exchange goals before Betis snatched victory late in the contest.
After a goalless first half, Abde struck in the 47th minute, reacting intelligently to a precise delivery from defender Fran García before guiding the ball past Porto goalkeeper Álvaro Valles.
The 24-year-old’s opener rewarded his energetic display on the wing, where his pace, dribbling ability and direct attacking approach posed persistent problems for Porto’s defence.
However, the Portuguese side responded impressively, turning the contest around through goals from Gabri Veiga in the 54th minute and Samu Aghehowa seven minutes later to establish a 2-1 advantage.
Real Betis refused to surrender on home soil, with Cucho Hernández restoring parity to reignite the contest and give the Spanish side renewed belief.
The hosts completed their remarkable comeback in the 84th minute when Isco converted a penalty, sealing a memorable 3-2 victory and sparking celebrations among the home supporters.
Although Abde was not responsible for the decisive goal, his early second-half strike proved instrumental in an encounter defined by attacking quality, resilience and late drama.
The Moroccan winger continues to demonstrate his ability to influence matches at the highest level, with his contribution against Porto highlighting the growing importance of African talent on Europe’s biggest football stages.
