Real Betis produced a stirring second-half turnaround to defeat Lille 3-2 at Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, recovering from a goal down at the interval to open their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign with three points.

Lille made the sharper start and were rewarded in the 12th minute when Ayase Ueda rose to head the hosts in front. The French side carried that early momentum, but Betis gradually established control of possession and began to apply sustained pressure around the Lille penalty area.

The visitors found their response in the 33rd minute. Marc Bartra attacked a delivery and powered in a header to level the match, only for Lille to reclaim their advantage three minutes later. Alexsandro headed home in the 36th minute, restoring the home side’s lead and sending them into half-time 2-1 ahead.

Betis emerged after the break with far greater urgency. Bartra again proved decisive from an aerial situation, scoring his second header of the night in the 49th minute to make it 2-2. The comeback was completed four minutes later as Troy Parrott struck in the 53rd minute, turning the fixture on its head.

Lille’s task became considerably harder in the 56th minute when Ethan Mbappé was sent off. Down to 10 players and trailing, the hosts faced a difficult final stretch against a Betis side increasingly comfortable on the ball. Natan was booked for the visitors in the same minute, while Facundo Bernal and Marc Roca also entered the book as Betis managed the contest.

The numbers reflected Betis’ growing authority. The Spanish side had 55.4 per cent possession and outshot Lille 20-6, including a 5-2 advantage in efforts on target. Lille continued to fight until the end, with substitute Olivier Giroud receiving a stoppage-time yellow card, but Betis saw out a valuable away victory.

On a night when Champions League officiating remains a major talking point across the competition following recent penalty-related debate, this match had its own defining disciplinary moment in Mbappé’s dismissal. Yet Betis’ win was built primarily on their attacking response: Bartra’s two set-piece headers and Parrott’s quick follow-up strike transformed a difficult first half into an impressive European result.

Goals: Lille — Ayase Ueda 12′, Alexsandro 36′. Real Betis — Marc Bartra 33′, 49′, Troy Parrott 53′.