Betis blunt Monaco comeback

Ricardo Oliveira scored twice as Real Betis Balompié edged past 2003/04 UEFA Champions League finalists AS Monaco FC and into Thursday's draw for the group stage.

Monaco threaten
The Brazilian striker scored a stunning goal with 15 minutes remaining to edge a tie that looked to be drifting away from them Betis when goals from Gerard López and Toifilou Maoulida brought Monaco to the brink of a remarkable comeback. Ricardo Oliveira earlier broke the deadlock on 17 minutes, doubling the advantage Edu had given the side in the last minute of the first leg.

Gerard goal
It capped a dominant performance from the Brazilian striker who was his side's best outlet all night as Monaco threatened to overturn the first-leg deficit, and he broke the deadlock early on, firing home Xisco Muñoz's sublime cross. Emmanuel Adebayor and Gerard both went close for the home side, before the latter drew Monaco level on the night on 33 minutes with a fierce shot from the edge of the area that left Antonio Doblas stranded.

Penalty miss
The goalkeeper was more active two minutes later, however, saving Camel Meriem's weak penalty after Patrice Evra had been brought down. But Monaco continued to press and the game really came to life just after the hour mark when Moulida capitalised on some hesitant defending to head in from close range.

Stunning strike
Despite that strike, Betis remained in control of the tie courtesy of their away goal, and they added another through Ricardo Oliveira with 15 minutes remaining. The striker picked up the ball in midfield before ghosting past three Monaco defenders and finishing coolly to send the Spanish side into Thursday's draw.