AZ Alkmaar 2 - Betis 1 (after extra time)

Alkmaar: Timmer; Jaliens, Opdam, Mathijsen, De Cler; Landzaat, Schaars (Molhoek 86'), Van Galen (Koevermans 90'), Sektioui (Meerdink 103'); Kenneth Pérez, Arveladze. 4-4-2.
Betis: Contreras; Melli, Juanito, Rivas, Oscar López (Luis Fernández 51'); Arzu, Capi (Dani 86'); Varela (Rivera 61'), Joaquín, Edu; Robert. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 27. Arveladze. Picked up pass from Pérez and shot low past Contreras.
2-0. 35. Jaliens. Turned ball in on near post from Kenneth Pérez free kick.
2-1. 94. Melli. Shot in off keeper on far post from Joaquín free kick.

Betis made it through to the last sixteen of the competition after beating AZ Alkmaar in extra time. The Andalusians were defending a two goal lead from the first leg, but they were in trouble early on when Kenneth Pérez brought a good save out of Contreras in the first couple of minutes. Soon afterwards German referee Florian Meyer awarded the home side a penalty after Juanito handled in the area, but Landzaat fired his kick against the post and away.

Betis managed a couple of soft efforts at goal, but Arveladze put Louis Van Gaal's side into the lead later in the half when he picked up a pass from Pérez to score. And before the half time whistle the tie was level after Jaliens turned in Pérez's free kick on the near post. Contreras had to keep out Jaliens again after the restart, but Capi wasted a good chance to put his side ahead when he shot wide after Joaquín set him up.

Serra Ferrer's side held on though to take the game in to extra time, and just three minutes later Melli was on hand to turn a long free kick from Joaquín in on the far post, making up somewhat for the two own goals he scored in the Nou camp at the weekend. The Dutch side then needed to score two, and a confident Contreras made sure they didn't with saves late on from Koevermans and Pérez. Betis go through to play Steaua Bucharest in the next round, still with a chance of recovering something from what has been a poor season.