Álvaro Fidalgo made his Champions League debut in Real Betis Balompié's 3-2 comeback victory away to Lille. The midfielder came on in the 60th minute for Isco during the Group B match on matchday one of the 2026-27 season.
How did Fidalgo's Champions League debut go?
Fidalgo played his first minutes in Europe's elite competition with a discreet but effective performance. The player, who had already made his Europa League debut last season, is regaining the trust of manager Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean had not used him in the first three LaLiga matches but gave him minutes last weekend against Real Madrid and repeated the decision at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. His introduction coincided with the definitive turnaround for the Verdiblancos.
How did Betis complete the comeback in Lille?
Lille took an early lead through a goal from Ayase Ueda in the 12th minute. Marc Bartra, however, leveled the match in the 33rd minute with a powerful header. The joy was short-lived, as Alexsandro put the hosts back in front just three minutes later. Before halftime, Bartra appeared again to make it 2-2 with another headed effort in the 49th minute. The winning goal came from Troy Parrott, who completed the comeback. The subsequent sending-off of Ethan Mbappé hampered any reaction from Lille.
What does this win mean for the season?
The three points earned in France are an excellent start for Betis's European aspirations. Pellegrini's team showed character to overturn an adverse scoreline away from home. This victory places the Andalusian side in a good position in the fight for a spot in the round of 16. You can follow the group's progress on our standings page.
What are the upcoming fixtures?
Betis now faces a busy schedule. In LaLiga, they will play Villarreal, Getafe, Deportivo la Coruña, and Osasuna before the next Champions League match. On matchday two of the group stage, the Verdiblancos will host Porto at the Benito Villamarín on Wednesday, October 14 at 1:00 PM (Central Mexico time). The team's full planning for the coming weeks is available on our fixtures calendar.
Midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo, who wears the number 14 shirt, is under contract with Real Betis Balompié until June 2028.
