Real Betis travelled to Getafe on Monday knowing that three points would move them into fourth spot in La Liga.
A fairly uneventful opening period brought few incidents, but Betis took the lead just before the hour mark when Jorge Molina converted from close range.
The home side were level 10 minutes later when Diego Castro was on hand to fire an effort past Adri from close range.
However, Betis moved 3-1 ahead with two strikes in the final 15 minutes from Benat and Ruben Castro.
Pedro Leon then grabbed a late consolation for the home side before Salva Sevilla added Betis' fourth in stoppage time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary below.
Good evening all! Week 10 of La Liga is completed as Betis travel to an improving Getafe outfit. Both these sides have impressed this season and the facts point to an open game of football.
Teams:
Getafe: Moya; Alexis, Torres, Rafa, Valera; Leon, Castro, Abdel, Rodriguez; Torres, Alvaro
Betis: Adri; Martinez, Paulao, Perquis, Nelson; Benat, Sevilla, Carlos, Canas; Campbell, Castro
In terms of the head-to-head record between the two sides. Getafe have won three of the last five meetings, drawing one and losing one of those matches. Meanwhile, the corresponding fixture ended in a 1-0 win for the home side.
As mentioned, Betis lie in fifth spot in the table and recovered from a thumping 4-0 defeat to Malaga by taking seven points from their next three games. Meanwhile, Getafe have won their last four and are one of the in-form sides in the league.
Getafe started the league campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla before recording an impressive 2-1 win over Real Madrid. Disappointment followed in their next three, but they have picked up nine points from their last four league games.
Betis, meanwhile, recorded victory over Athletic Bilbao in their first match of the season. Following which they won four of the first six matches. However, they have lost four of their last seven in all competitions.
Regular followers will know what time it is now. Pre-match prediction. I am backing a 1-1 draw between two good sides this evening.
We are around seven minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Spain. Just a reminder that victory for the away side could move them into the top four at the end of play.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Stay with us for the action as week 10 in La Liga concludes.
Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate crowd? Check. Let's get the action underway.
Here we go then. Betis get us underway. I have a feeling that we could be in for a classic here.
Not the biggest of crowds this evening it must be said. Meanwhile, Betis have enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages of the match.
No real attacking threat from either side thus far. However, Benat and Juan Carlos are dominating the ball for Betis. Meanwhile, Joel Campbell has looked to get behind the Getafe defence at every opportunity.
It just isn't quite happening for the home side at the moment. Alvaro and Xavi Torres have been staved off possession thus far. Both of these teams like to get on the ball and play football.
Half-chance for the home side as Pedro Leon strikes a stinging effort from outside the box, but Adri clears the danger. Meanwhile, the resulting corner is also palmed away by the goalkeeper.
CHANCE: First real opportunity of the match for the home side as Alexis rises highest in the penalty area, but his header is blocked by Nelson. That was heading into the top corner.
The match has just settled into a period of both sides exchanging possession in midfield. However, the home side are looking the most likely with 13 minutes played in the capital.
Getafe continue to force the issue with Abdel and Alvaro seeing plenty of the ball. However, Betis have a nice shape about them this evening. It is so delicately poised.
The match has just become ever so bitty in the past few moments with both sides committing a host of fouls in midfield. Meanwhile, both defences remain on top in the early stages.
Half-chance for Betis as Salva Sevilla whips a high ball into the penalty area, but Alexis is on hand to clear the danger. Meanwhile, a Benat free kick just evades Campbell.
Ambitious effort from Benat as he strikes a long-range free kick, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. It has been that type of match thus far. Everything has been 'almost'.
Getafe launch an attack of their own as Alvaro attempts to find Pedro Leon with a searching cross, but the ball is just too long. Meanwhile, Leon strikes an effort over from distance moments later.
Both sides continue to play tidy football in midfield. However, we remain level with 25 minutes on the clock. Someone needs to liven this up a bit!
Leon remains the bright spark for the home side with a host of long-range efforts, but neither side have really threatened to open the scoring thus far.
Getafe's attacks continue to break down with Benat and Carlos scanning the front of the Betis defence. Meanwhile, the atmosphere is doing little to raise the tempo.
A rare Betis attack almost presents a chance as Carlos whips a dangerous free kick into the penalty area, but Castro is ruled offside and Getafe resume play. Little else to say truth be told.
CHANCE: Leon remains the inspiration for the home side as he pounces in the box before firing a low effort towards goal, but his shot just moved wide of the post. He has been the most likely.
Again Getafe force a half-chance as Paulao makes a mess of his clearance, but Alvaro is ruled offside when striking towards goal. That's poor from the officials. The pass had been from a Betis defender.
The match has just become ever so bitty once more with both sides exchanging attacks. Meanwhile, Betis force another corner, but the danger is cleared.
Campbell and Castro continue to put a shift in for the away side, but they are simply seeing none of the ball. It's all possession football from Getafe at the moment.
Little under three minutes of the half remaining and we remain level at 0-0. It is going to take something special to open the scoring before the interval at least.
Getafe continue to force the issue in the latter stages of the half with Leon the provider for Abdel, but his shot is wide. Meanwhile, we will play one minute of time at the end of the half.
So there we have it. The match remains goalless at the interval with both sides struggling for invention in the opening 45 minutes.
HALF-TIME: Getafe 0-0 Real Betis
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half. Betis have shaded the possession with 51%, but they have managed just one shot to Getafe's five.
Leon has been the bright spark for the home side. However, the former Real Madrid midfielder has thus far been able to inspire his team to a goal. In truth, it has been a half of few chances.
Just a reminder that victory for the away side would move them into fourth spot this evening. Meanwhile, three points for Getafe would move them onto the same points as their opponents this evening.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Let's hope that there is a difference in quality this half.
Betis get us underway in the second period. Neither side has made any subs at the break. Getafe have been the better side thus far.
Half-chance for the home side in the early stages as Leon whips a dangerous free kick into the box, but Paulao is on hand to make the clearance. Decent tempo to the second half.
Betis continue to play their tidy passing in the middle of the midfield. Meanwhile, Getafe break with Valera, but Adri is on hand to gather the danger.
CHANCE: The best chance of the match thus far falls to Alvaro as Leon puts it on a plate for the striker, but somehow he fires over the crossbar. How has he missed? My word.
Looking ahead for a moment. Getafe's next match is the Madrid derby against Atletico. Meanwhile, Betis will welcome Granada next weekend. Will either side enter their next game with a win?
Both sides continue to huff and puff in the early stages of the second period. Getafe remain the most likely, but Betis are known for scoring goals out of nothing.
Change for the away side as Campbell is replaced by Jorge Molina. Can he inspire his team in the remaining 30 minutes or so? Molina will become the focal point of their attack.
GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Real Betis (Molina)
Decent change? The sub puts his side ahead as Castro finds Molina and the striker taps home from close range.
One of these teams simply had to be bold. Betis were and it has paid off. As it stands they are heading for fourth spot in the league.
It is almost an immediate response from the home side as Abdel advances on goal, but a fine challenge from Paulao clears the danger. Suddenly we have a match on our hands.
What is it with Betis this season? They seem to score even when they are struggling. It is almost the perfect away performance. Now it is up to Getafe to force the issue with little over 25 minutes remaining.
Change for the home side as Alvaro is replaced by Paco Alcacer. Meanwhile, Betis resist a couple of Getafe corners to advance down the field.
Another change for the home side as Juan Rodriguez is replaced by Adrian Colunga. They are really going for it now. Still plenty of time for Getafe to get back into this match.
GOAL! Getafe 1-1 Real Betis (Castro)
What was I saying? It is a wonderful piece of skill from Adrian as he finds Castro in the box and the striker finishes from close range.
Both managers made changes and both have been rewarded. We have a real match on our hands now with 20 minutes remaining. Both sides want to win this one.
Getafe are forcing the issue at the moment with Leon and Adrian both causing a threat. However, Betis remain strong in defence as they clear the danger.
GOAL! Getafe 1-2 Real Betis (Benat)
Oh my word! It is magical from Benat as he fires a free kick into the top corner from a seemingly impossible angle. Just wonderful.
Ruben Perez comes on to replace the goalscorer for the final 15 minutes. Can Betis hold on? What a terrific free kick from the midfielder.
GOAL! Getafe 1-3 Real Betis (Castro)
Castro puts Betis 3-1 ahead as the experienced striker fires a low effort past Miguel Moya. Surely that is game over?
Half-chance for Getafe to hit straight back as Leon finds Alcacer in the box, but the forward can only fire over the crossbar from inside the box. This second period has been fantastic.
Another change for Betis as Nacho replaces Juan Carlos. We have little under 10 minutes of the match remaining. As it stands they are moving into fourth spot.
This has been typical Betis this evening. They take so long to warm up but when they get going they are something special. Such a punishing outfit.
Betis are frustrating the home side at the moment with a period of possession. Meanwhile, a host of fouls have slowed the tempo. Just as Betis would have wanted.
Not a great deal happening with four minutes remaining. Getafe know this match is over. Betis are comfortable as they pop possession around in midfield.
Getafe force a couple of half-chances in the final moments through Leon and Castro. However, Betis are comfortable in dealing with the danger.
GOAL! Getafe 2-3 Real Betis (Leon)
Leon puts Getafe in with a chance as he converts from close range. Surely they cannot force another?
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes. Plenty of time.
Getafe are throwing everything at Betis at the moment. However, Paulao has been immense in the air. One final attack? It appears to be over. Unless...
GOAL! Getafe 2-4 Real Betis (Sevilla)
Sevilla adds his side's fourth as he advances on goal with two of his teammates.
Getafe 2-4 Real Betis
So there we have it. An eventful second period of football is brought to an end with Betis securing a 4-2 win over Getafe. The result has moved them into fourth spot in the table, just a point behind Real Madrid.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for Champions League football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
