SEVILLA, Spain (Interstat) — Real Betis Balompie opened its Europa League group stage with a 2-1 victory over FC Utrecht on Thursday at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla. The home side built a two-goal lead with first-half strikes from forwards Cucho Hernández in the 42nd minute and Abde Ezzalzouli in the 50th. Utrecht substitute Miguel Rodríguez pulled one back just five minutes later, but Betis held on for the win. The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s simulator, which had forecast a 1-0 Betis victory. Defender Ricardo Rodriguez and substitute Alonzo Engwanda recorded assists for their respective clubs. Both Engwanda and Rodriguez received late yellow cards.