The Colchoneros scored an express goal in the 2nd minute thanks to Joao Felix and were joined just before the break (45th + 6) on a superb recovery from the left of Cristian Tello.
But they managed to snatch victory thanks to a new goal from the Portuguese jewel, served in the 61st by a fiery Marcos Llorente, then a final goal signed Thomas Lemar at the conclusion of a superb work by Antoine Griezmann on the right wing (80th).
The joy of the Portuguese striker of Atlético Madrid, Joao Felix, after his goal scored on the lawn of Real Betis, at the end of the 27th day of La Liga, March 6, 2022 CRISTINA QUICLER AFP
An essential success on the lawn of a direct opponent in the race for qualifying places for the Champions League, ten days before the round of 16 return of C1 at Old Trafford against Manchester United (1-1 in the first leg).
The first period, electric and punctuated by injuries, set the tone of the match.
In an almost full Benito-Villamarin, Betis lost Andrés Guardado in the 11th minute (replaced by striker Cristian Tello), and Simeone had to deal with the injuries of Sime Vrsaljko (replaced by Yannick Carrasco in the 21st) and Angel Correa (replaced by Antoine Griezmann in the 26th).
But the rojiblanco bench made the difference.
Paradoxically, it was in the first period that the people of Madrid had their first ball of victory: in the 35th, a ready-made goal, three against the goalkeeper, was spoiled by an imprecise pass from Yannick Carrasco intercepted by William Carvalho.
And in the 55th, Felipe touched the base of the post after a header from a corner.
For Nabil Fekir's Betis, this home setback is a stain, between qualification for the King's Cup final validated on Thursday and a round of 16 first leg of the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt scheduled for Wednesday.
Thank you Depay
Earlier in the afternoon, FC Barcelona dominated Elche (2-1) on the wire to miraculously climb to the championship podium.
The Catalans conceded a goal from Fidel just before the break (44th) on a cross shot from the left following a missed back pass from Pedri, but equalized with an opportunistic goal from Ferran Torres (61st), and took the lead in the 84th on a penalty converted by the Dutch center-forward after a hand from Antonio Barragan in the area.
The joy of Elche midfielder Fidel Chaves after opening the scoring at home against Barcelona on the 27th day of La Liga, March 6, 2022 JOSE JORDAN AFP
A penalty hit hard in the right corner which miraculously extends the beautiful momentum of the Blaugranas (four wins in four matches), four days before their round of 16 first leg of the Europa League at Camp Nou against Galatasaray on Thursday.
The joy of Barcelona's Dutch striker, Memphis Depay, after scoring the second goal from the penalty spot on the Elche pitch, during the 27th day of La Liga, March 6, 2022 JOSE JORDAN AFP
Despite the three points, Xavi can scratch his head.
Because even Pedri, the prodigy praised by the Catalan technician, had a day without Sunday, south of Alicante.
Ter Stegen, iron fist
Fortunately, Ter Stegen once again saved his people from a major stampede.
With a flash parade, the German goalkeeper pushed back the recovery of Pere Milla who was heading straight for the skylight above his crossbar in the 64th, thus keeping his team afloat.
And in the 90th + 5, in an electric end to the match where two possible penalties for Elche were refused, Ter Stegen stretched out with his whole body to divert a header from Guido Carrillo and preserve the victory.
Barcelona's German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen during the La Liga Round 1 match against Elche on February 24, 2021 at Camp Nou LLUIS GENE AFP/Archives
Elche may have regrets.
This defeat at home does not yet ensure the maintenance (14th with 29 pts, five points from the first relegation).
For the Catalans, who are continuing their operation to move up the rankings, this happy success serves as a hiding place.
They will have to do better, Thursday against Galatasaray, to continue the European adventure.
© 2022 AFP