Dinamo Zagreb upset Real Betis to reach last 16 of Europa Conference League

Dinamo Zagreb has knocked out Spanish La Liga club Real Betis to reach the last 16 of Europa Conference League. 

Dinamo Zagreb advanced to the last 16 after beating Real Betis 2-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb tonight. 

A Bruno Petković penalty in Spain in the first leg last week gave the Croatian champions a 1-0 win and tonight they throughly deserved to advance. 

Real Betis opened the scoring against the run of play in the 38th minute tonight after Petković almost put the home side in front with a shot that hit the post.  

Ruibal managed to get in front of the Dinamo Zagreb’s keeper goalkeeper and deftly flick the ball past him at the near post to make it 1-0.

Dinamo Zagreb created a number of chances early in the second half and would deservedly get back on level terms in the 59th minute when Japanese winger Kaneko was on hand to steer the ball into the net from close range after good work down the left from Hoxha. 

🇭🇷 Arbër Hoxha’s assist for Dinamo Zagreb against Real Betis #UECL #DZGBET pic.twitter.com/L2yvB8eegT

— Kosovan Football 🇽🇰 (@kosovanfooty_EN) February 22, 2024

Dinamo Zagreb kept up the pressure Real Betis could not get anything going at all and they would become another scalp for the Croatians in Europe. It is also the first time Dinamo Zagreb has knocked out a Spanish club from European competition.

Dinamo Zagreb now advances to the last 16 and the draw will take place on Friday 23 February. Seven winners tonight will be joined in the draw by:

Aston Villa (ENG)
Club Brugge (BEL)
Fenerbahçe (TUR)
Fiorentina (ITA)
LOSC Lille (FRA)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR)
PAOK (GRE)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
Maccabi Haifa (ISR) 

The first legs are scheduled for 7 March, with the second legs a week later on 14 March.