Feyenoord exit the Europa League after 2–1 defeat away to Real Betis

Feyenoord were knocked out of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening after suffering a 2-1 loss away to Spanish side Real Betis. Two first-half goals for the home side in the Estadio de La Cartuja proved to be sufficient despite a second-half strike from Casper Tengstedt.

Feyenoord knew prior to the game that the chances of progression were slim. The Rotterdammers had a very disappointing European campaign, in which they won just two out of eight games despite having a favorable schedule.

Van Persie continued his trust in the youth by giving center back Thijs Kraaijeveld a start. The 18-year-old is the youngest player to make his starting debut for Feyenoord in a European competition since Tyrell Malacia in December 2017. Van Persie was forced to improvise in defense as he was missing both his starting central defenders, Anel Ahmdehozic and Tsuyoshi Watanabe.

Feyenoord missed a big chance to take the lead early on. A low chip into the box by Goncalo Borges found Cyle Larin, whose shot on the turn was saved by Pau Lopez from close range.

This missed chance was almost followed by a Betis goal in quick succession, but the goal from Abde Ezzalzouli was disallowed after a VAR review showed that Betis winger Antony had fouled Aymen Sliti in the buildup.

But Antony made up for this a short while later by putting Betis ahead with a magnificent curled effort which went into the corner just out of the reach of Feyenoord keeper Timon Wellenreuther.

Larin was given another significant chance from close range in the 26th minute. Once again, Borges was the provider after the Portuguese winger had been played in with a fantastic through ball from Oussama Targhelline, but once again, Lopez was on hand to stop Larin from scoring.

Ezzalzouli got his goal in the 32nd minute. Antony cut inside and chipped the ball onto the head of the Moroccan winger, who guided it into the far corner.

Borges created yet another chance for Latin in the 51st minute with a good cross, but as was the case throughout the evening, the forward got his finish wrong, sending the header far wide of the goal.

Casper Tengstedt, who had been anonymous for most of the game, gave Feyenoord a glimmer of hope with a fantastic finish in the 77th minute. The Dane chipped a ball into the net from outside the box after Lopez had come out, but lost control of it.

A bigger concern for Van Persie may have been the injury that his son, Shaquille van Persie, picked up after coming on. Shaquille landed awkwardly after going up for a header and was taken off the pitch on a stretcher.

Feyenoord will have to bounce back from the defeat soon, as they face Eredivisie league leaders PSV on Sunday. The Rotterdammers' chances of capturing the Eredivisie title are likely gone, with the gap currently being 14 points to the league leaders, but they also face a fight for second place, with clubs like Ajax and NEC fighting for the place.