A pre-season friendly match between Real Betis and Como at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla in Cadiz on August 6, 2025, turned chaotic when a brawl erupted just before halftime, involving Betis midfielder Pablo Fornals and several Como players, with Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli accidentally striking teammate Natan during the scuffle.
Despite the disruption, Real Betis secured a 2-1 victory, with goals from Isco and Junior Firpo overcoming an early strike by Como’s Assane Diao.
The incident, captured in viral footage shared on social media, has raised concerns about potential suspensions as both teams prepare for their respective La Liga and Serie A seasons.
Real Betis vs Como Brawl
The Real Betis vs Como brawl broke out at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla when Como led 1-0, courtesy of a third-minute goal by former Betis player Assane Diao, who capitalised on a saved penalty rebound.
Tensions escalated after a rough challenge on Betis’ Giovani Lo Celso, prompting Fornals to confront Como’s Massimo Perrone, leading to an exchange of blows.
In a comical twist, Ezzalzouli’s attempt to intervene misfired, accidentally hitting teammate Natan, as noted by BeSoccer. The melee, involving substitutes and coaching staff, saw Como’s Perrone and Betis’ Hector Bellerin receive red cards, while Fornals escaped without ejection.
The referee’s report may lead to further disciplinary action, with suspensions looming for Betis players ahead of their La Liga opener against Elche in 12 days.
Betis Friendly Match Chaos
The Betis friendly match chaos overshadowed an otherwise competitive encounter, with Como’s early dominance driven by Diao and Lucas de Cunha.
Betis fought back in the second half, equalising through Isco’s 48th-minute strike and taking the lead with Junior Firpo’s 62nd-minute goal, a centre-shot that caught Como’s goalkeeper J. Butez off guard.
The 2-1 final score marked Betis’ fourth win in six pre-season friendlies, despite defensive vulnerabilities exposed by Como’s early pressure.
The brawl, described as “outrageous” by beIN SPORTS, involved verbal clashes between Como coach Cesc Fàbregas and Betis’ Rodrigo Riquelme, spilling into the technical area and drawing global attention.
Pablo Fornals Confrontation
The Pablo Fornals confrontation with Perrone sparked the melee, with the Betis midfielder’s slap triggering retaliation, as captured in footage shared by @marca.
Fornals, a key figure in Betis’ sixth-place La Liga finish last season with 60 points, avoided a red card, unlike Bellerin, whose ejection left Betis short-handed. The incident, occurring at a 1-0 deficit, highlighted Fornals’ fiery temperament, previously seen in his West Ham days.
Fans expressed mixed reactions, with some praising his passion and others criticising his recklessness, fearing sanctions that could impact Betis’ season start against Elche, as noted by Football España.
Abde Ezzalzouli Teammate Incident
Abde Ezzalzouli’s teammate incident, where he accidentally struck Natan while aiming for a Como player, added a comedic yet concerning note to the brawl.
The Moroccan winger, acquired from Barcelona in 2023, has been a dynamic presence in Betis’ pre-season, but his misjudged intervention drew laughter and criticism online.
Natan, a new signing from Napoli, was unharmed but visibly frustrated, as seen in BeSoccer’s viral clip. The incident underscores Betis’ need for better discipline, especially with injuries to Diego Llorente and Marc Roca already straining their squad.
Pre-Season Friendly Disciplinary Concerns
Pre-season friendly disciplinary concerns now loom large for both teams, with Betis facing potential suspensions for Fornals, Bellerin, and possibly Cucho Hernandez, who also joined the fray.
Como, preparing for a Joan Gamper Trophy clash with Barcelona, may see Perrone sidelined, impacting their Serie A preparations under Fàbregas, who led them to a tenth-place finish last season with 49 points.
The referee’s decision to report the incident could lead to bans, affecting Betis’ Europa League campaign and Como’s European ambitions.
As Kenya grapples with issues like the SHA’s revenue shortfall, this high-profile football scuffle highlights global contrasts in discipline and accountability, with fans eagerly awaiting updates on disciplinary outcomes.
The Real Betis vs Como clash, intended as a tactical test, became a flashpoint for tempers, reflecting the intensity of pre-season preparations.
With Betis’ attacking prowess, led by Isco and Bakambu, securing the win, the focus now shifts to managing the fallout to ensure both teams are ready for their competitive seasons.
