Fiorentina 2-2 Real Betis: UEFA Conference League result as Betis book final spot through Abde Ezzalzouli extra-time goal

Real Betis reached their first European final, as Abde Ezzalzouli’s extra-time goal secured a 4-3 aggregate victory over Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League.

The visitors started well, but found David de Gea in their way, as he made saves from Antony and Pablo Fornals, but the former would soon beat him with a stunning 25-yard free-kick that rattled in off the woodwork.

That put Manuel Pellegrini’s side 3-1 up on aggregate, but the tie was all square by the break thanks to a magnificent Robin Gosens brace, as he met corners from the right and left with a pair of perfect headers to put Viola 2-1 ahead on the night.

The second half struggled to live up to the drama of the first, as both teams started to struggle with their final ball, perhaps as a result of heavy legs and nerves.

Gosens did strike waywardly off target with one volley, while Natan sent a free header wide at the other end, and then as the full-time whistle approached, Betis could have won it, but De Gea made a stunning double save from Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli

That meant heading to extra time, and Ezzalzouli, who scored in the second leg, made no mistake when a chance next came his way, converting from close range after being slid in by Antony.

Fiorentina, who were looking to reach their third Conference League final in a row, were running out of ideas by now, and, bar Lucas Beltran having a header saved, they struggled to create too many chances as they looked to level.

As such, they crash out, whereas Pellegrini and his Betis team book a date with Chelsea in the final.

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Real Betis will play Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League final at the end of May. The game is at the Wrocław Stadium in Poland on Wednesday 28 May.

There goes the final whistle! The Real Betis players and staff stream onto the pitch! They're heading to their first EVER European final! Ezzalzouli's goal proves the winner for them. Fiorentina are heartbroken, understandably so. But Manuel Pellegrini's side are crying tears of joy.

He is cautioned for time wasting as he dithers over a goalkick

That's how long Fiorentina have to save themselves

Brilliant, once more, from Ezzalzouli, as he breaks into the box off a lovely pass, and sends a shot towards the far corner, but it bounces back off the post. De Gea was beaten all ends up.

The ball is not where Fiorentina need it! Betis fashion another chance for their goalscorer, but he shoots over

That could, and dare I say it, should, have been it! Good play by Garcia, who pulls back to Isco, but the midfielder is leaning back and loops over

Bellerin comes off carrying a little injury, replaced by Pablo Garcia. Pellegrini is taking no risks.

He receives possession outside the area and, with plenty of bodies in front of him, tries to engineer space for a shot. A pass woudl be a better option, but he pulls the trigger, it takes a deflection and Vieites collects

The forward clatters into the goalkeeper, who has cleared the ball, and it's a clear caution.

With just ten minutes to save themselves, La Viola are throwing several strikers forward. It could make things interesting if they get hit on the break!

The forward turns and shoots from outside the area, but the low effort is a comfortable stop for Vieites

And after that change, what could be the last 15 minutes of this tie gets underway

Andrea Colpan replaces Dodo, while Zaniolo is on too, for Pongracic. That's an extra forward thrown on!

There goes the half time whistle! It's proved a huge 15 minutes for Betis, taking the lead once again on aggregate through Ezzalzouli.

De Gea has to dive long to his left to save from Ruibal, who had been fed by Ezzalzouli

Just the additional 120 seconds at the end of this first half in extra time.