Real Betis claimed their first win of the La Liga season by beating Real Sociedad 1-0 after losing Petros to a red card in the first half.
It could have been a very different story for Sociedad had the visitors not missed a good early chance when Bruma sliced an effort wide of the target.
Betis quickly started to improve with the backing of the home crowd and they were inches away from taking the lead when Jorge Molina headed just over after being gifted space in the box.
The deadlock was broken when Joaquin, who was making his second debut for Betis after leaving the club nine years ago, delivered an inch-perfect cross to allow Ruben Castro to head home from close range.
However, the hosts were dealt a blow in first-half stoppage time when Petros picked up his second booking within the space of four minutes to pile the pressure on his teammates.
Sociedad returned to the pitch with added confidence early in the second half, but Betis responded impressively to limit the space on offer to the visiting side's creative players.
An uneventful start to the second half was quickly forgotten when Aritz Elustondo came agonisingly close to equalising with a powerful strike which drifted just wide from the edge of the box.
It took an impressive defensive display from the hosts to hold on for the win, and they were also left to thank Antonio Adan, who made a fine save to deny Chori Castro.
Callum Mulvihill
