Betis 3 - Málaga 0

Betis: Prats; Arzu, Juanito, Rivas, Mingo (Melli 72'); Fernando, Ito; Joaquín, Capi, Denilson (Joao Tomas 80'); Casas (Marcos Assunçao 65'). 4-2-3-1.
Málaga: Contreras; Josemi, Fernando Sanz, Litos, Valcarce; Manu, Romero, Miguel Angel (Sandro 68'),Iznata (Musampa 56'); Leko (Dely Valdés 56'); Darío Silva. 4-4-1-1.

Team changes: Betis: Arzu, Mingo, Joaquín for Filipescu, Luis Fernández, Varela / Málaga: Litos, Manu, Miguel Angel, Iznata, Leko for Roteta, Gerardo, Sandro, Musampa, Dely Valdés.

Goals:
1-0. 49. Arzu. Tap in on far post after Joaquín free kick blocked by defence.
2-0. 58. Fernando. Following up after Casas shot bounced off both posts.
3-0. 76. Fernando (penalty). After referee ruled that Romero had fouled Denilson.

Betis took over Málaga's position in the UEFA spots after beating them at home for the first time since 1983.Both sides had played UEFA cup ties midweek, although Betis had had a couple more days to rest and, apart from the three players suspended from last week, put out his best available side. Joaquín Peiró though decided to change things around after the first defeat of the season last weekend against Espanyol, and he left Dely Valdés, Musampa and Sandro on the bench. Fernando Sanz passed a late fitness test and came in for the suspended Roteta, but Gerardo had still not fully recovered and was left out.

The game started slowly, with Betis if anybody coming closer to scoring. Contreras saved from Joaquín on a quick breakaway, and casas and Denilson shot wide. Three minutes after the restart though the home side took the lead, Casas challenging for Joaquín's long free kick inside the area and the ball rolling free to Arzu for him to score on the far post. Peiró decided it was time to bring on Dely Valdés and Musampa, but almost immediately Betis scored again, Fernando getting to the ball first after a shot from Casas bounced back off both posts.

Peiró's last card was to bring Sandro into play, but a tricky run by Denilson soon afterwards ended with the Brazilian throwing himself over Romero's outstretched foot just from outside the area, referee Pérez Pérez showing his innocence awarding a penalty which Fernando converted. Joao Tomas came on for the last few minutes and almost got a fourth, Contreras making a late save from the Portuguese striker, but by then the game was over. Betis had won their first league win in four outings, and Víctor Fernández's side go back up to fifth in the table.