Atletico-Real Betis: Argentine Wonderkid Fires Atletico Into Fifth Spot

Attractive football from Atletico Madrid saw them go above their arch rivals Real Madrid after a 2-0 win over Real Betis.

First half:
Both teams had possession but it was Atletico who managed to put this possession to good use. The first chance was created by Sergio Aguero. He found Maxi Rodriguez but Casto was on hand to deny the captain.

Diego Forlan and Sergio Garcia exchanged shots on two ends of the field.
Garcia's one was narrowly wide of the post. The first goal came via Maxi Rodriguez after some good work by Aguero down the left flank. Aguero chipped the ball to Maxi who controlled it excellently with his chest and fired wonderfully to score in the 19th minute.

Simao then controlled the ball beautifully and passed it across the six-yard box but Aguero narrowly missed it. Atletico's slack defending continued but Perea was there to make sure that his team didn't concede.

Aguero then found the back of the net but was judged to be offside. Betis captain Juanito was guilty of some poor defending which saw him hit Maxi on the back of his legs. Diego Forlan sent a header over the bar following the challenge.

An Aguero pass arrived at Maxi but a timely challenge from Fernando Vega denied him. Casto then made two saves, both from Maniche. As the first half came closer to its conclusion Betis was awarded a freekick. Vega stood up to take it. The freekick caused numerous problems in Atletico's defence.

Leo Franco went missing from his goal and only Heitingo was able to deny Garcia from hitting the back of the unguarded net.

Thus, Betis had plenty of possession in the first half, moved forward but were unable to produce the same effects as Atletico. there was only one notable effort and that was Sergio Garcia's shot. Maxi would have had a hat trick had it not been for Vega and Casto.

Second Half:

Betis came out stronger than before and Atletico were finding it extremely difficult to penetrate Betis's defence. The first chance came through Betis.
Betis went on the break at one point, but Juanito was tackled by Assuncao.

At the other end, after some beautiful work by Aguero, Forlan passed it to Maniche who shot wide. Nelson then received a yellow card for hitting Simao on the leg. Maniche gave the ball away to Garcia in midfield but Garcia was unable to finish. Nelson was then taken off for Xisco in the 65th minute.

Garcia squandered another opportunity, Garcia was one on one with Franco but Franco was the one who beat Garcia to it. A Capti shot went just over the bar in the 74th minute.

Emana and Aurelio received yellow cards in quick succession following a lunge on Maniche and a foul on Aguero respectively.
In the 80th minute, Simao found Forlan who passed beautifully to Aguero.

Aguero made no mistake and easily found the back of the net in between two defenders and Casto. Maxi and Aguero were then subbed for Banega and Luis Garcia.

The game ended 2-0 to Atletico.