Mallorca 1 - Betis 3

Mallorca: Leo Franco; Campano (Carlos 64'), Olaizola, Nadal, Siviero, Miguel Soler; Robles (Paunovic 55'), Ibagaza (Miki Garra 25'), Marcos; Eto'o, Luque. 5-3-2.
Betis: Prats; Tais (Cañas 55'), Juanito, Rivas, Luis Fernández; Ito, Benjamín (Merino 71'); Varela, Capi, Denilson; Joao Tomas (Amato 80'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Mallorca: No change / Betis: Varela for Joaquín.

Goals:
0-1. 08. Benjamín. Shot from outside of area which went in off near post.
0-2. 52. Joao Tomas. Took short pass from Capi to shoot low inside post.
0-3. 81. Amato. Low header wide of keeper after long cross from right.
1-3. 90. Luque. Ran on into area to shoot low across keeper.

Mallorca drop back down into the relegation zone after losing at home Betis, a result which cost manager Sergio Kresic his job. Two years ago the island side condemned their opponents to the second division with a 4-0 victory, and this was the chance for the Andalucians to get their own back. Juande Ramos was only missing the injured Joaquín, and Varela came back into the side after a long absence. Mallorca had the best of the early minutes, with Eto'o and Luque both going close. However the visitors scored with their first effort on goal, Benjamín beating Leo Franco with a long shot which went in off the post with only eight minutes on the clock. However the real turning point came midway trough the first half when Leo Franco pushed Joao Tomas away from him while trying to clear the ball. It seemed an innocent move, but the Portuguese striker dived to the ground and referee Carmona Méndez instantly produced the red card for the keeper. Reserve goalkeeper Miki came on for Ibagaza, but with a man short the home side were out of it, even though Eto'o hit the bar with a reaction header before the break.

The second half was all Betis, and JoaoTomas made it two nil after Nadal gave the ball away to Capi for him to set up his centre forward. Kresic belatedly brought on Paunovic and then Carlos, but Miki was forced to save from Benjamín as the visitors kept up the pressure. With ten minutes to go Amato came on for Tomas and within seconds headed a third against his ex club from a cross by Tais, refusing to celebrate and asking for forgiveness from his old fans for what could be the goal that sends them down. Luque got a late consolation goal in the last minute with the stadium already half empty, but it could only serve to add a few thousand Euros to his transfer price if he moves on. With a visit to Real Madrid to come next week before a final home game to Valladolid they are now in big trouble, and having started the year in the Champions League they could end it down in the second division. The day after the match the board decided Kresic would have to go if they are to have any chance of survival, and B team manager Tomeu Llompart will take over for the last two games. The victory assures European football for Betis next season, and they could even make it to the Champions League spots if Barcelona or Celta falter.