Real Betis Balompie beat RCD Mallorca 1-0 with a late Ruben Castro goal in La Liga’s early kick yesterday to go joint top of the Spanish league with Real Madrid and Valencia.
In a triumphant return to first division soccer for Betis’ Benito Villamarin stadium, the two sides played out the unpopular midday slot in high temperatures that dictated the slow pace of the game.
The home team were stronger throughout and were unlucky to not get a penalty on 37 minutes when Josi Manuel Flores “Chico” appeared to trip Jorge Molina in the area.
On 42 minutes Castro hit the post for Betis with a well struck left footed shot from the edge of the area and Molina incredibly twice struck the bar in his attempts to convert the rebound.
Castro was always dangerous and went close again with a right footed drive on 56 minutes.
Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate blocked superbly to deny Betis substitute Jonathan Pereira after 63 minutes as the Andalusian side began to clock up attack after attack.
On loan Manchester City player Roque Santa Cruz came off the bench on 74 minutes to make his Betis debut and headed narrowly wide from close range six minutes later.
Just as it seemed Mallorca would escape with a point, man of the match Castro appeared on 87 minutes to steer the ball home on the right side of the area from a corner.
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