Real Betis beat Valencia 1-0 in La Liga, with Pablo Garcia scoring the decisive goal as the visitors’ 4-2-3-1 structure overcame the hosts’ compact 5-4-1. Betis held 58% possession and used their double pivot and attacking midfield line to control territory, although Valencia still found enough space to register 16 shots. The home side’s deeper shape restricted Betis to 15 attempts, making the contest relatively balanced in volume despite the difference in approach. Valencia also produced the higher xG total, 1.12, but Betis protected their advantage through disciplined defensive spacing and faultless goalkeeping when tested. Garcia’s finish ultimately separated two sides who each recorded three shots on target, underlining how narrow the decisive margins were. Valencia’s wing-backs provided width from their back five, while Betis sought to create central overloads behind their striker and manage the ball with greater regularity. Jon Ander Gonzalez Esteban oversaw a match in which structural control, rather than attacking quantity, proved decisive. Betis take the early head-to-head advantage this season.