Real Betis 4 : 0 Zaragoza - Zaragoza stare at the drop

Posted Monday, May 27, 2013 by PA

Real Zaragoza slipped closer to the relegation trapdoor after a thumping 4-0 defeat at European hopefuls Real Betis.

Manolo Jimenez's men were torn apart in Seville and will go into the final day of the season next weekend at home to Atletico Madrid in 19th place, a point adrift of Deportivo La Coruna in 17th.

A win at Betis would have gone a long way to assuring them of a place among the elite next season but they never got started, falling behind inside 15 seconds to a Ruben Castro strike and they were two down when Dorlan Pabon netted after 17 minutes.

Jorge Molina added a third five minutes into the second half and Pabon completed a miserable night for Zaragoza 20 minutes from time.

Zaragoza's misery was in stark contrast to Betis' joy, the win consolidating them in seventh place which would be good enough for a place in the Europa League at season's end.

The hosts could not have asked for a better start as Molina played in Castro to fire past goalkeeper Roberto inside a minute.

Castro headed wide from six yards after 11 minutes but the second goal was not long in coming, Castro turning provider with a cross which Pabon turned in from close range.

Rodri nodded wide as Zaragoza briefly threatened a comeback at the start of the second half but their hopes of salvaging something were effectively ended shortly after when Pabon supplied Molina for a crisp finish.

Indeed, had it not been for Roberto the damage could have been significantly worse.

The former Benfica goalkeeper saved well from Castro and Molina but was powerless to prevent Pabon from making it 4-0 with a low drive.