Betis 0 - Real Madrid 1

Betis: Doblas; Melli, Juanito, Nano, Romero; Vogel (Capi 59'), Rivera; Maldonado (Odonkor 73'), Edu, Wagner (Xisco 46'); Sobis. 4-2-3-1.
Madrid: Casillas; Cicinho (Raúl Bravo 31'), Cannavaro, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos; Diarra, Emerson; Reyes (Beckham 67'), Cassano (Raúl 60'), Guti; Van Nistelrooy. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Betis: No change / Madrid: Cassano for Raúl.

Goals:
0-1. 06. Diarra. Got above defence to head Cicinho cross in on far post.

Real Madrid beat Betis 0-1 on Saturday evening to move to the top of the table pending Sunday's games. Fabio Capello's side made it three wins in a row in a practical performance, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Diarra headed in Cicinho's centre following a short corner and not allowing their opponents much of a look in after that.

Madrid continued to keep control, and Reyes tried his luck a couple of times to no avail. A serious injury to Cicinho changed the coaches plans though, and Raúl Bravo came on as a makeshift right back. And the locals finally got in to the game, Juanito having a header saved by Casillas and Edu a penalty appeal turned down.

Madrid could have increased their lead after the restart, Doblas saving well from Van Nistelrooy and Cassano trying to be too clever with a flick when a simpler option was available. Capi and Beckham joined the fray, the former trying his luck with a long shot and the latter getting let off a possible penalty after referee Iturralde González failed to see the ball hit his arm from a free kick.

Juanito was also lucky to be let off though after catching Roberto Carlos in the face with a flying elbow, the veteran full back eventually having to leave the field even though Madrid had made all their substitutions. But Betis too were left with ten men after Nano was sent off for elbowing Diarra, and Madrid could have increased their lead when Van Nistelrooy missed the target from a couple of yards out on a last minute counter-attack.