First Division - Day 35

Betis 1 - Gimnastic Tarragona 1

Betis: Contreras; Ilic, Nano, Juanito, Isidoro; Vogel, Marcos Assunçao, Capi (Robert 61'); Odonkor (Fernando 70'), Sobis, Edu (Xisco 79'). 4-3-3.
Nàstic: Rubén Pérez; Calvo, César Navas, Matellán, Marco; Generelo, Chabaud; Campano (Cuéllar 69'), Carlos Merino (Ismael Irurzun 62'), Portillo; Rubén Castro (Makukula 75'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Betis: Nano, Marcos Assunçao, Sobis for Melli, Rivera, Fernando / Nàstic: Generelo, Merino for Morales, Pinilla.

Goals:
0-1. 89. Portillo (penalty). After Robert fouled Makukula inside penalty area.
1-1. 92. Xisco. Header from close up after Juanito headed back Isidoro cross.

Betis are not yet out of danger after they could only draw 1-1 with bottom club Gimnàstic Tarragona. The Andalusians were returning to the Ruiz de Lopera stadium after their three match exile, and they started well, with Capi and Assunçao shooting just wide, and Assunçao testing Rubén Pérez with a free kick. With no goals again at the break though, the local fans gave their players a hard time.

Generelo brought a good save out of Contreras immediately after the restart, but Rubén Pérez was soon in action at the other end ot keep out another Assunçao free kick., and then a couple of efforts from Edu. Paco Flores brought on Makukula though, and the big striker headed a good chance just wide. Portillo also had another effort saved from Contreras, but the game looked like ending in a scoreless draw as the final minutes approached. However the visitors were awarded a controversial penalty after Makukula fell under a challenge from Robert, and Portillo stepped up to slot home the spot kick.

Betis threw everything forward though, and in the second minute of injury time Xisco headed the equaliser after Juanito headed back Isidoro's cross to save a point which keeps them four points above the drop zone. The draw was a blow for Nàstic, and although the Catalans are still not mathematically relegated after Bilbao's defeat at Zaragoza, it would take a complete miracle to save them now.