Real Betis swept into the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Thursday, after beating Real Sociedad by 4-0. This was to continue their excellent season under Manuel Pellegrini.

Betis is third in La Liga and has genuine hopes of qualifying next season for the Champions League. They will need to be able to stop in the cup on this form.

They will join Valencia and Rayo Vallecano in the semis. Real Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao on Thursday for last place.

Madrid are favourites after Sevilla, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were all eliminated. However, Betis looks to be the biggest threat to Carlo Ancelotti’s team in sealing a Spanish double.

Since 2005, Betis has not reached the Copa del Rey Final.

Juanmi, who moved to Betis in 2019 from Real Sociedad, scored twice against Anoeta, but his opener was a result of William Carvalho’s brilliant work. He burst through the defence and cut back to allow his teammate to score into the corner.

Adnan Januzaj had a La Real equaliser ruled out before halftime, and then Juanmi struck again with his left foot, firing in after Alex Moreno had raced onto a curling ball through Sergio Canales.

Betis made it more clear in the final seven minutes when Willian Jose converted an extra penalty, and then Aitor Rubial (on the bench) ran clear and hit in to make it four.