Real Betis are safely through to the knock-out stage of the Conference League after victory over HJK Helsinki

Real Betis advanced to the knockout stages of the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League after a narrow 1-0 win over HJK Helsinki at the Benito Villamarin.

The hosts named a strong side who needed to avoid defeat to guarantee their place in the competition after Christmas. Johnny Cardoso was one of the regular starters to be named in the line-up, and it was he who scored the only goal of the game after 27 minutes, firing home from close range.

Betis pushed hard to score more goals in the second half, although in the end, none came. In the end, it doesn't matter to Manuel Pellegrini, whose team was able to secure the victory that took them through to the knockouts.

It will be the play-off round Betis are involved, as they finished 15th in the league stage standings. Their opposition will be Gent or FC Kobenhavn.