The 18-year-old Mexico international helped put his team in a strong position heading into next week’s second leg in Seville

Diego Lainez has not had to wait long before making his impact felt at Real Betis.

The 18-year-old Mexico international made the move from Club America to the Liga side in January in what was reported to be a $14 million (£11m) deal.

The midfielder had played in five games coming into Betis’ Europa League round of 32 tie with Rennes, receiving two starts thus far.

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Lainez was not in the XI to begin his side’s away tie, but got an early run out after coming on for Junior Firpo in the 27th minute, and his introduction would prove key late on.

With Betis trailing in stoppage time, Lainez made the most of a scramble that ensued after a Betis corner, as after a couple of flick ons, the teenager hit it first time in the area.

It wasn’t the hardest struck shot, but it proved perfectly placed as Rennes goalkeeper Tomas Koubek was rooted to the spot, and the ball found the back of the net for the stoppage time equaliser..

It was Lainez’s first goal for his new club, coming in his sixth game for Betis.

Lainez’s team-mate for club and country, Andres Guardado, started the game for Betis and went the full 90 in the draw.

The result saw Betis overturn multiple two-goal deficits to put themselves in a strong position heading into the second leg.

The match next Thursday is not only at home, but sees the Seville club enter with three away goals in the bag.

In between, Betis will face off against Alaves on Sunday in La Liga action. The club sit in seventh in La Liga, but only three points off a Europa League spot and five off the top four, which would net Champions League qualification.

They are also in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, with their tie with Valencia currently 2-2 after the first match in Seville, with the second leg set to take place in two weeks time.