Malaga 0 : 2 Real Betis - Pellegrini's men let it slip

Malaga's hopes of securing automatic Champions League qualification took a bruising as they lost their Andalusian derby at 2-0 home to Real Betis.

Sitting fourth prior to kick-off and level on points with faltering Valencia in third, Manuel Pellegrini's men could have moved clear into the guaranteed spots with a win, owing to Valencia not playing until Sunday night.

However, first-half goals from Ruben Castro and Jose Dorado ensured a miserable night was had by most at La Rosaleda.

As a result, should Levante beat Valencia tomorrow, the trio will be locked in a three-way battle for third, with the Granotas currently just a win behind their more illustrious rivals.

Knowing what was at stake, Malaga started quickly as Alarcon Isco was denied by Agosto Fabricio inside three minutes.

They were unable to maintain the early pace, though, and by the time Santi Cazorla had their next chance on 18 minutes - shooting at the body of Antonio Amaya - Betis had also had an opportunity, with Extebarria Benat hitting wide.

Malaga picked it up again after that, with Jose Salomon Rondon heading at Fabricio, while at the other end Ruben Castro took aim for Betis.

He was off target on that occasion but, with five minutes of the first half remaining he found his range, albeit with his head, nodding in after a cross from Benat.

Cazorla responded with a shot that skipped just wide prior to the break but, when it looked as though Malaga would have a one-goal deficit to challenge in the second period, Betis notched a second on the stroke of half-time.

Dorado was the scorer, picking up play after a Benat corner was not cleared, and stroking home from just inside the area.

Pellegrini threw on Sergio Duda at the break in a bid to pep up his side and he did just that, drawing a fine save from Fabricio and then shooting wide.

A clearly frustrated Cazorla blazed over from distance for Malaga and, when Rondon was denied by Fabricio, it was clear it was not going to be their night.

That did not stop Weligton trying to reduce the deficit from close range or Diego Buonanotte drawing a stunning stop from Fabricio.

But it was to be Betis' night, though, and they saw it out with a clean sheet, more thanks to Rondon's glaring late miss than anything else.

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