Atlético Madrid 1 - Betis 0

Atlético: Esteban; Aguilera, Coloccini, Hibic, García Calvo; Nagore (Albertini 52'), Movilla; José Mari, Correa (Jorge 64'), Stankovic (Emerson 82'); Fernando Torres. 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Prats; Varela (Benjamín 87'), Juanito, Rivas, Luis Fernández; Marcos Assunçao, Arzu (Fernando 58'); Joaquín, Capi, Denilson; Alfonso (Casas 73'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Atlético: Hibic, Fernando Torres for Contra, Carreras / Betis: Varela, Arzu, Alfonso for Tais, Ito, Casas.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Fernando Torres. Header into far top corner of net from Stankovic corner.

An early goal from Fernando Torres gave Atlético Madrid a 1-0 win over Betis, taking them up to fifth spot. Luis Aragonés' side have been steadily climbing up the table, and with the top sides failing to win they rise up five places into the UEFA cup places. With Contra out injured and Sergi still not fit, Luis Aragonés switched Spanish international García Calvo across to left back to keep tabs on Joaquín. Torres returned up front after missing the last couple of games with a bruised thigh, and last week's hat-trick hero José Mari returned to the right wing after playing for Spain as striker. Varela returned for the visitors after a one match ban, and Alfonso was back after his injury.

Atlético started well winning three quick corners, and at the third attempt Stankovic found the head of Fernando Torres for him to beat Prats with an angled header. A couple of minutes later though Alfonso thought he had equalised when he headed a short pass from Capi into the net, but referee Losantos Omar ruled it out for offside, incorrectly as it turned out as no less than two defenders were playing him onside.

That was about the best they could manage though, and after the break Torres could have had a hat-trick, with Prats saving one effort well, and another run from the youngster ending in a shot which grazed the post. The Betis keeper also made an important save from substitute Jorge, and for a few minutes the visitors realized that they still had a chance. With both wingers closely marked they decided to come through the middle, and José Mari had to come back at one point to clear a Fernando looping header off the line with Esteban beaten.

Casas replaced a tired Alfonso up front, but he failed to take advantage of two chances which came his way, and eventually Losantos put an end to the suffering of the home fans with the final whistle. Atleti are back where they belong, and with so many sides bunched together near the top, the defeat takes Betis out of the top four down to eighth place.