Rodrigo Riquelme scored twice to send Real Betis through in the Copa del Rey, then set a higher bar for himself. After the 2-3 win over Navalcarnero at Santo Domingo stadium in Alcorcón, he said he could have left with five goals and still needs to improve in front of goal.

Riquelme's finishing after the brace

The goals came early and late. Riquelme struck in the 5th minute and again in the 96th minute, the second after Betis had already been pushed into extra time. The brace was decisive, but it sat inside a performance he did not want to overstate.

Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, translated from Spanish, he said: "The truth is that I am sharp in front of goal. I am focusing a lot on that, as I have already said before; although today, despite the two goals, I have to say that I must keep improving to put away all the chances I have."

He went further in the same interview: "They were two goals, but I could have left with five, perfectly. Things of football. I am left with the fact that I have not given up, because I think I have played a good match and I am happy that it has served to help win."

That self-critique fits the numbers behind his season. He has 3 goals in La Liga this season and 5 goals in 15 matches in 2026/2027. Across 11 appearances this season, the cup brace was the sharpest return of his campaign so far.

Betis' escape at Santo Domingo

Betis were made to work far harder than a top-flight side should against lower-league opposition. Rodrigo Marina equalised in the 92nd minute after a cross from Aitor Ruibal, and Álvaro Calado saved a penalty from Isco before Riquelme settled it in extra time.

The result does not change the awkward edge of the night. Betis needed extra time to beat a side from Segunda Federación, and the margin stayed thin until the final moments. Riquelme’s two goals were the difference, but his own reaction was probably the more revealing detail.

If Betis wanted a clean cup passage, they did not get one. What they did get was a winger who finished the tie and then told anyone listening he should have done more.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →