Real Betis tops Malaga 2-1 in La Liga

Real Betis picked up all three points against Malaga, taking advantage of the hosts' late defensive miscues to post a 2-1 victory in the 25th round of the La Liga season here.

Both teams enjoyed periods of possession in the first half on Tueday, but neither posed any threat to the other's goal and the squads looked likely to head to the dressing room 0-0 at the break, reports Efe.

In the 38th minute, however, Betis' Tosca made an ill-advised pass to goalkeeper Adan that ended with the ball at the feat of Malaga striker Fornals, who connected with a shot just inside the left post.

The gift allowed Malaga to end the first half 1-0 up despite a mediocre performance.

Malaga started the second half poorly and Betis got the equaliser in the 48th minute, as Jonas Martin raced past Demichelis and put the ball past keeper Kameni, who rushed out after the defender was beat.

The home side were unable to capitalise on the chances they generated and Betis grew more and more comfortable as the minutes passed.

Another Malaga mistake, this time by defender Luis Hernandez, set up Tonny Sanabria to score what turned out to be the winning goal in the 73rd minute.

Malaga, with 26 points from 25 matches, are in 15th place, a point behind 14th-place Betis, who have a game in hand.

--IANS

gau/vt