Having claimed just a single point in the league since their Copa del Rey success (D1, L2), Sociedad knew an improved display was needed on home soil.
It was the visitors, however, who spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead inside three minutes, as Antony shot straight at Alex Remiro with the goal at his mercy.
Encouraged by that opening, Betis remained on the front foot, with Antony scuffing another promising chance wastefully wide of the target.
Grateful for the Brazilian’s profligacy in front of goal, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side looked to gain a foothold in the contest, as Orri Oskarsson saw a close-range effort comfortably saved by Alvaro Valles.
Showing the type of character that had seen them collect more wins in their previous six LaLiga away outings (W3, D1, L2) than in the 13 prior to that return (W2, D8, L3), Betis upped the ante before half-time, and their attacking intent was duly rewarded, when Antony curled a sublime finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards for his 14th goal of the season.
The visitors carried their momentum into the early stages of the second period, and they swiftly doubled their lead, as Abde Ezzalzouli shrugged off the challenge of Jon Martin on the touchline before firing an unerring finish into the far corner beyond Remiro.
Matarazzo responded with a double-change, introducing Luka Sucic and Pablo Marin. After looking re-energised, La Real thought they’d halved the deficit shortly after the hour mark, only for Jon Gorrotxategi’s smart finish to be ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Undeterred, Sociedad continued to probe in the final third, and their pressure finally paid dividends in the 80th minute, when Sergio Gomez’s inviting delivery was coolly converted by Oskarsson, setting up a fascinating finale in San Sebastián.
The tide had shifted, and after further pressure, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the 90’, as Aitor Ruibal was harshly penalised for handball in the box.
Mikel Oyarzabal assumed the responsibility from the spot, and the Spaniard emphatically dispatched the penalty into the roof of the net to salvage a spirited point for Sociedad.
That denied Betis a first away league win in nine matches against Basque opposition, as Ruibal’s misery was compounded in the closing stages with a second yellow card.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sergio Gomez (Real Sociedad)
