Dani delivers for Betis
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Article summary
Dani scored in extra time to hand the Copa del Rey to Real Betis Balompié with a 2-1 win against CA Osasuna.
Article body
Dani winner
The forward raced on to a precisely weighted pass from Ricardo Oliveira and fired a shot past Osasuna goalkeeper Juantxo Elía into the far corner five minutes from the end of extra time to divide the teams.
Oliveira opener
The Andalusian side had seemed headed for victory in normal time when Oliveira gave them the lead in the 77th minute after taking advantage of a defensive mix-up to dart between Juantxo Elía and César Cruchaga, and poke the ball into the empty net. But the goal prompted Osasuna to throw everyone forward and substitute John Aloisi equalised five minutes later - just three after entering the fray.
Late leveller
The Australian powered in a close-range header at the far post after Ludovic Delporte had delivered a pin-point cross following a run down the left wing. But Dani's well-taken goal spoiled Osasuna's hopes of a first trophy and the underdogs' misery was complete when Pablo García was sent off for lashing out at Fernando Varela in the final minute of extra time. For Betis, the victory came at the stadium where they enjoyed their previous triumph in the competition, defeating Athletic Club Bilbao on penalties in 1977.