Diego Lainez scored in the 90th minute to salvage a 3-3 draw for Real Betis against Stade Rennes in Europa League group-of-32 action on Thursday.
The Mexico youngster’s last-gasp strike gave him his first goal for the Spanish side since making the move from Liga MX power Club America in January.
Adrien Hunou‘s strike and Javi Garcia‘s own goal gave home team Rennes a two-score advantage at nine minutes. Giovani Lo Celso took one back for Betis in the 32nd minute, but Hatem Ben Arfa‘s penalty before half-time gave a the French side a 3-1 lead.
Sidnei cut Rennes’ lead back to one goal in the 62nd minute, before Lainez buried the equaliser in the waning seconds. Sergio Canales’ corner-kick reached Jese in the penalty area, who headed it toward an awaiting Lainez for a bouncing left-footed shot into the net.
“We never let our guard down, despite how it was going for us, it is a very good trait that this team has,” Lainez said after the match. “At the end, we got a good result that is positive.
“In that play, I went to see what came out of the corner kick, Jese headed it and truthfully I had no other option. I hit the ball and fortunately it was a goal.”
At 18 years and 250 days, Lainez is the second youngest Mexican scorer in European competitions. Giovani Dos Santos (18 years, 215 days) scored for Barcelona against Olympiakos in a 2007 Champions League match.
The second leg is set for Feb. 21 back in Seville.