Málaga 2 - Betis 3

Málaga: Arnau; Josemi (Manu 09', Luque 75'), Fernando Sanz, Litos, Duda; Gerardo, Miguel Angel, Leko, Insúa; Canabal, Salva. 4-4-2.
Betis: Contreras (Relaño 82'); Varela, Juanito, Arzu, Rivas; Marcos Assunçao, Benjamín; Joaquín, Fernando (Cañas 77'), Ismael (Denilson 67'); Dani. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Málaga: Fernando Sanz, Canabal for Romero, Edgar / Betis: Varela, Marcos Assunçao, Ismael for Cañas, Lembo, Denilson.

Goals:
1-0. 21. Salva. Following up after his penalty tipped onto post by keeper.
2-0. 45. Canabal. Ran on to head Duda's cross into top corner of net.
2-1. 62. Dani. Tap in from close up after Joaquín squared ball across.
2-2. 70. Juanito. Got above defence to head Benjamín's free kick past Arnau.
2-3. 90. Dani. Dived low to head Denilson's cross wide of keeper.

Betis came back from two goals down to beat local rivals Málaga 2-3 and finish off their season on a high. With nothing at stake for either side other than a possible spot in the Intertoto cup, the match kicked off earlier than the rest, with both managers making several changes in what was probably their last game in charge (Juande Ramos may even be moving to Betis next season).

The locals started in great form, and Contreras had to make three top class saves from Gerardo, Salva and Canabal with less than three minutes on the clock. And midway through the first they took the lead after Arzu gave away a penalty on Canabal, the keeper tipping Salva's spot kick onto the post but the striker firing the ball back into the net on the rebound. When Canabal got on the end of Duda's cross to make it two on the stroke of half time it seemed that the home side were heading for an easy victory.

Betis had other ideas though, and they pulled one back after a galloping run down the right wing by Joaquín, the Spanish international setting up Dani for the easiest of goals. Juanito levelled the scores a few minutes later, and with the game coming to an end Dani stooped to head home his second of the night from Denilson's cross to steal away the three points. The win took Betis a point above their opponents up to ninth place, safe but not really good enough for a club who have invested heavily in a team which their management hoped would be playing in Europe next season.