Betis soar thanks to Assunçao

By Andy Hall

A two-goal haul from Marcos Assunçao saw Real Betis Balompié edge into third place in the Primera División while Villarreal CF scrambled a late 3-2 win against Club Atlético de Madrid.

Bright opening
Before tonight’s match, RC Deportivo La Coruña had gone seven seasons without defeat at Betis. Both the Galicians and their hosts started brightly with Sergio González and Lionel Scaloni testing home goalkeeper Antonio Doblas while David Rivas and Edu responded for the Verdiblancos. Assunçao ensured a half-time advantage for the locals by blasting past Munúa on 38 minutes.

Free-kick speciality
The Brazilian scored his second goal of the match in typical fashion, curling in a direct free-kick from the left wing that squeezed inside the near post after 56 minutes. Betis overtake city neighbours Sevilla FC to claim third place on goal difference. Depor meanwhile, lie tenth.

Villarreal comeback
Villarreal overturned a two-goal deficit to stun Atlético in the dying moments of their match at the Madrigal. Fernando Torres was put clean through to score on 25 minutes and doubled his tally 12 minutes later. Juan Pablo Sorín put Diego Forlán through to pull one back just after the hour and the scores were level when Luis Perea turned a Juan Román Riquelme centre into his own net with less than ten minutes to go. Sorín had the final say, firing in from close range in added-time.

More pain for Valencia
Valencia CF suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Real Racing Club Santander and have now gone six league games without a win. Marco Di Vaio missed the clearest chance during the first half, a mistake his team rued when Mario Regueiro fired in a direct free-kick on 52 minutes to give caretaker coach Nando Yosu his first win in charge.

Málaga magic
A 3-2 home win against RCD Espanyol helped steer Málaga CF clear of the danger zone. The southerners took a three-goal lead through Juan Rodríguez, Miguel Ángel and Juanito. Espanyol, who played for an hour without dismissed midfield player Alex Fernández, replied through Dani García and a Fernando Sanz own goal. Espanyol drop to seventh, behind Valencia on goal difference.

Goalless draws
Both Getafe CF’s game against CA Osasuna and Levante UD's meeting with Real Zaragoza ended goalless. A late goal from Miguel gave CD Numancia a 2-1 win at Albacete Balompié but both clubs remain locked in the relegation zone.