Valencia keeps Champions League hopes alive

Valencia 3 - Betis 0 

Line-ups:

Valencia: Diego Alves; Joao Pereira, Rami, Mathieu, Guardado (Cissokho 84'); Dani Parejo, Tino Costa; Feghouli, Banega (Canales 66'), Jonas; Soldado (Nelson Valdez 52'). 4-2-3-1.

Betis: Adrián; Angel López, Amaya, Mario, Nacho (Alex Martínez 68'); Joel Campbell (Paulao 18'), Cañas, Beñat (Nosa Igiebor 79'); Rubén Castro, Jorge Molina, Pabón. 4-3-3. 

Goals:
1-0. 16. Soldado (penalty). After Amaya brought down Soldado on edge of area.
2-0. 85. Paulao (own goal). Deflected Canales centre inside own near post.
3-0. 92. Jonas. Controlled long Tino pass and cut in to fire shot across keeper. 

Yellow cards: Nacho 10', Rami 37', Mathieu 43', Molina 58', Feghouli 74', Angel 74' 

Red cards: Amaya 15'

Match Details

In a match up between two direct Champions League spot hopefuls, it was Valencia who triumphed on their home turf. Long gone are the days when Rafa Benitez's led Valencia could outplay Real Madrid and Barcelona to consecutive league titles or play the final of Champions League. It is now a club whose mere survival is linked to the fact that it can qualify for the Champions League. Where as on the other hand Real Betis are enjoying quite a season after returning from Segunda division not so long ago.

For Valencia, Mathieu started in the center of the defence along with countryman Rami. Guardado was prefered to his unnatural position of left back over Aly Cissokho. Betis stated with their customary 4-3-3 formation with Benat the main man in the midfield. 

Tino Costa had an attempt saved in the 8th minute while Rami missed a chance soon afterwards. The match turned on its head in 15th minute when Antonio Amaya was judged to have fouled Soldado in the penalty area. Amaya was sent off and Soldado made it 1-0 from the spot. 

Dorlan Pabón had an attempt saved from long range where as Tino Costa and Ruben Castro also went close for their teams. Guardado and Jonas also came close to adding a second for Valencia before the break.

Real Betis decided to take the initiative and press up in the second half. Betis tried hard but Valencia defended valiantly and Diego Alves made up when they didnt. . Five minutes from end came the second goal of Valencia when Paulao diverted a ball from Sergio Canales into his own net. In the injury time,  Jonas, after excellent control, hit the ball to the far post and made it 3-0 on the night.

Valencia move to fifth with 45 points just two behind Real Sociedad for last Champions League position although they can be back to sixth if Malaga wins its game in hand today. Real Betis are seventh on 43 points.

Match Stats: