Atlético Madrid 1 - Betis 2

Atlético: Leo Franco; Velasco, Perea, Pablo, Sergi (García Calvo 55'); Colsa (Marcelo Sosa 55'), Luccin (Richard Nuñez 73'); Ibagaza, Braulio, Antonio López; Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Doblas; Varela, Juanito, Rivas, Melli; Arzu (Benjamín 90'), Marcos Assunçao; Joaquín, Israel (Lembo 67'), Denilson (Fernando 49'); Oliveira. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Velasco, Sergi, Braulio for Molinero, Jorge, Richard Nuñez / Betis: Varela, Israel for Luis Fernández, Fernando.

Goals:
0-1. 16. Oliveira. Got above defence to head Assunçao corner wide of Franco.
0-2. 37. Oliveira (penalty). After Braulio blocked Assunçao free kick with hand.
1-2. 52. Melli (own goal). Deflected cross from Ibagaza past own keeper.

Betis rounded off one of their best week's in a long time with a 1-2 win at Atlético Madrid which keeps them in fifth place in the league, just a point now behind city rivals Sevilla. Fresh from their cup semi-final success, the Andalusians went into an early lead when Oliveira headed home Assunçao's corner with a quarter of an hour gone. Fernando Torres had tested Doblas before the goal, but Sergi had to clear an effort from Assunçao off the line with Leo Franco beaten just a few minutes later. And although Ibagaza rattled the crossbar with a free kick, Betis went further ahead with an Oliveira penalty after Braulio blocked Assunçao's free kick with his hands.

The white handkerchiefs were out at half time as the local fans protested, fed up about another poor performance coming so soon after their side had been knocked out of the cup against Osasuna. Their side did get one back after the restart, but even then it took a Betis player to score it when Melli deflected Ibagaza's cross past his own keeper. Doblas had to make saves from García Calvo and Richard Nuñez later on, but Assunçao could have increased the lead with a late free kick which went just wide. The game ended soon afterwards, and angry fans converged on the directors' box calling for action. In three days all hope of a return to Europe had been scuppered, and somebody will have to pay.