First Division - Day 38

Betis 2 - Getafe 1

Betis: Dani Giménez; Montoya, Pezzella (Varela 80’), Westermann, Vargas (Musonda 46’); Joaquín, N’Diaye, Petros, Dani Ceballos; Jorge Molina (Fabián 65‘), Rubén Castro. 4-4-2.
Getafe: Guaita; Damián Suárez, Cala, Vergini, Pereira (Alvaro Vázquez 68‘); Juan Rodríguez (Emi Buendía 56’), Alvaro Medrán; Pedro León, Sarabia, Moi Gómez (Yoda 64’); Scepovic. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 55. Pezzella. Looped header back over Guaita from long Joaquín free kick.
2-0. 73. Rubén Castro (penalty). After Damián Suárez pushed over Musonda.
2-1. 84. Alvaro Medrán. Picked up ball outside area and cut across to beat keeper.

Yellow cards: Petros 35’, Juan Rodríguez 52’, Vergini 53’, Cala 55’, Pereira 66’, Alvaro Medrán 71’, Damián Suárez 73’, Scepovic 83’, Yoda 88’ / red cards: Emi Buendía 75’.

A thrilling last day of the season, with Sporting Gijón saving themselves and Madrid based sides Getafe and Rayo Vallecano both going down with Levante. After a recent change in form under new coach Juan Eduardo Esnáider, Getafe were the best placed of the three coming in to Sunday’s games, needing only to win at Betis to stay up. However they were beaten 2-1 by the Andalusians, ending a run of twelve years in a row in the top flight. Scepovic did have a couple of chances to give the visitors the lead, a header just wide in the first half, and an effort which was saved by Dani Giménez soon after the restart. Some ten minutes in to the second half though the Andalusians went in front, Pezzella getting above Juan Rodríguez to head Joaquín’s free kick past the keeper. A few minutes later referee Gil Manzano awarded a hotly disputed penalty after Damián Suárez brought down Musonda (the foul clearly taking place outside of the area), and Rubén Castro stepped up to slot home the resulting spot kick. Frustrations grew, and Emi Buendía got himself sent off for a hard tackle on Dani Ceballos. And although Alvaro Medrán did get one back with an individualist effort, there was no time left for any more.