Atlético Madrid 2 - Betis 0

Atlético: Leo Franco; Perea, Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Pernía; Maxi (Luis García 83'), Paulo Assunçao (Raúl García 72'), Maniche, Simao; Agüero (Banega 82'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2.
Betis: Casto; Nelson (Xisco 65'), Arzu (Melli 81'), Juanito, Fernando Vega; Mehmet Aurelio; Damià, Emaná, Capi, Juanma (Diego Segura 74'); Sergio García. 4-1-4-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Perea for Seitaridis / Betis: Fernando Vega for Monzón.

Goals:
1-0. 20. Maxi. Controlled Maniche pass and struck shot underneath Casto.
2-0. 81. Agüero. Collected Forlán pass and ran on to shoot wide of keeper.

Yellow cards: Assunçao 23', Nelson 62', Emanà 74', Mehmet 78'.

Atlético Madrid are back in the Champions League race after a 2-0 victory over Betis, a result which takes Aguirre's side above city rivals Real Madrid to within two points of Villarreal. Maxi controlled a long pass from Maniche on his chest before beating Casto to open the scoring in the twentieth minute, and they could have had more before the break, Agüero having a goal disallowed, Forlán heading over the top and Maxi and Maniche bringing good saves out of Casto.

Sergio García was the only one to cause any problems for Leo Franco in the first half, and he tested him again soon after the restart. Juanma had another shot saved and Capi fired an effort over the top, but with ten minutes to go Agüero wrapped things up after running on to Diego Forlán's through ball to beat the visiting keeper on the near post. Sergio García headed a late chance wide, but by then it was all over. .