Real Betis clinched a Champions League berth on Tuesday, ending a two‑decade exile from Europe’s elite competition. A 2‑1 victory over Elche at the Benito Villamarín secured the club’s fifth place finish in LaLiga, the slot that guarantees entry to the group stage. Manuel Pellegrini’s side had opened a seven‑point cushion over Celta Vigo with two matches left. It also ends Betis’ longest European drought since 2005‑06 finally.

Early pressure came from Cucho Hernández, who broke the deadlock in the ninth minute with a low finish. Elche equalised before halftime through Héctor Fort, but Pablo Fornals restored the lead in the 68th, sealing the win. Elche, reduced to ten men after Léo Pétrot’s red card, lingered near the relegation zone. Their defense crumbled after the red card.

Betis’ resurgence reshapes the top end of LaLiga, pushing Atletico Madrid into a tighter race for the remaining Champions spots. Atletico’s 2‑1 triumph over Osasuna kept them fourth, but a pending showdown with Villarreal looms. With the season winding down, Betis will now focus on preparing for a group‑stage draw that could pit them against former European heavyweights.