Betis book European berth

By Andy Hall

Ricardo Oliveira claimed his 22nd goal as Real Betis Balompié moved into third place in the Primera División and made sure of their participation in the UEFA Cup at least by defeating Real Zaragoza 3-2 on Saturday evening. In the evening's late kick-off, the Madrid derby between Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid finished goalless.

Close battle
Betis and Zaragoza locked horns immediately at the Manuel Ruíz de Lopera stadium in Seville, with both looking determined from the start. Marco Assunçao caused the first stir by hitting the post with a trademark free-kick on ten minutes while David Villa and Alberto Zapater led the visitors' charge.

Savio stunner
Zaragoza went ahead on 35 minutes when Savio Bortolini placed a direct free-kick into the top corner. Betis responded 12 minutes into the second half through Juanito Gutiérrez, who met Joaquín Sánchez's free-kick from the left wing and powerfully headed the ball past Luis García.

Oliveira strike
Oliveira was in the right place to rifle in Fernando Varela's pass with 68 minutes gone and Fernando Fernández casually hit the third for the Andalucian side in the 81st minute. Óscar González's last-gasp header was not enough for Zaragoza who remain ninth on 50 points.

Betis climb
Betis share 61 points with Villarreal, who travel to FC Barcelona on Sunday, but have knocked the coastal club from third place because they have the edge in head-to-head encounters thanks to a 2-1 home win against Manuel Luis Pellegrini's side on 28 November. Betis are now two points clear of city rivals Sevilla FC, who are away at Getafe CF on Sunday, as the race for a UEFA Champions League place reaches a climax.

Madrid stalemate
In the capital, the derby between Madrid and Atlético failed to deliver much in the way of exciting football. The home team offered just two chances all game - Ronaldo found himself with just Leo Franco to beat on 32 minutes but the keeper blocked superbly. Michael Owen arrived just too late after David Beckham’s cross was deflected goalwards by Pablo Ibáñez during the second half.

Torres thwarted
Atlético, who have won just twice away from home this season, showed similar indifference - Fernando Torres broke clean through but was superbly stopped in his tracks by Thomas Gravesen. The Atlético striker then got the better of the Dane but scooped his effort straight into the hands of Iker Casillas. Madrid remain second on 77 points while their neighbours are unmoved in eleventh with 49 points.