Deportivo La Coruña 2 - Betis 2

Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, César, Andrade, Capdevila; Duscher (Pandiani 76'), Mauro Silva; Víctor (Sergio 46'), Valerón, Luque (Munitis 46'); Diego Tristán. 4-2-3-1.
Betis: Prats; Tais, Juanito, Rivas, Luis Fernández; Marcos Assunçao (Fernando 59'), Arzu; Joaquín, Benjamín, Denilson (Cañas 86'); Tote (Dani 69'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Deportivo: Mauro Silva, Luque, Diego Tristán for Sergio, Fran, Pandiani / Betis: Tais, Rivas, Marcos Assunçao, Arzu for Varela, Lembo, Ito, Alfonso.

Goals:
1-0. 14. Luque. Collected Víctor square pass and fired shot under Prats.
2-0. 17. Víctor. Ran on to long Duscher pass and chipped ball past keeper.
2-1. 32. Assunçao. Dipping free kick from outside of area which went in off bar.
2-2. 72. Dani. Forced ball over line after Benjamín free kick came back off bar.

Deportivo La Coruña lost ground on the top two after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Betis. Although Tais could have put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes, the Galicians raced into a two goal lead, Víctor setting up Luque for the first on the quarter hour mark and getting a second himself three minutes later after Duscher put him through. Marcos Assunçao pulled one back though with a trademark free kick on the half hour mark, and the visitors were back in the game.

With one eye on the midweek Champions League game against AC Milan, and with both Víctor and Luque carrying slight injuries, Irureta brought on Sergio and Munitis at the break. Víctor Fernández spotted his chance as Depor relaxed, and strengthened his front line with Fernando and Dani, and Fernando tested Molina with a header soon after coming on. And five minutes later Dani bundled home the equaliser, heading the ball back into the net after Benjamín's free kick came back off the bar.

Tais got himself sent off for a second bookable offence in the last minute, but it was too late to change the result. Betis had their point, and keep alive their hopes of reaching the UEFA cup spots once again.