North East | Sunderland suffer narrow defeat against La Liga side

Sunderland 0 - 1 Real Betis

Sunderland narrowly lost to Real Betis as their preparations continue for a Premier League return.

Author | Ryan Gates

Stadium | Stadium of Light

After an even first half, Simon Adingra saw a goal ruled out for offside in the second, before Aitor Ruibal’s header in the 74th minute handed the La Liga side the pre-season win.

A closer look at what happened

Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs and Reinildo were handed their first starts in red and white as Sunderland stepped out at the Stadium of Light for the opening home fixture of the 2025–26 campaign. Xhaka led the team out, for the first time, in front of just under 15,000 supporters.

The opening exchanges offered chances for both sides. Xhaka’s incisive pass set Trai Hume free down the right, but Eliezer Mayenda was unable to convert the resulting cut-back.

At the other end, Isco produced a moment of class with an outside-of-the-boot cross for Real Betis, which Valentín Gómez headed against the bar. Hume was alert to the danger and scrambled the rebound clear from under his own crossbar.

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Chemsdine Talbi looked bright on the right and tested Álvaro Valles with a left-footed effort from distance, though the Betis goalkeeper held it comfortably. As the half progressed, both sides struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances.

After the break, Sunderland fans were treated to a glimpse of Granit Xhaka’s vision. His inch-perfect pass sent Simon Adingra in behind, and the forward finished neatly, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Betis took the lead in the 74th minute when Aitor Ruibal guided a header into the top corner following a well-worked short corner.

Sunderland almost hit back immediately. Adingra slipped a clever reverse pass to Harrison Jones, whose low cross was just beyond the reach of the sliding Eliezer Mayenda. Despite late pressure, the visitors held on for the win.