Real Betis welcomed Getafe to the Estadio Benito Villamarin on Monday with both sides in the picture for European football.
Neither side could make the breakthrough in a tight opening 45 minutes of football despite chances for both teams.
Betis looked the most likely in the second period, but could not find the back of the net as the points were shared in a goalless draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 28 in La Liga is completed as Betis welcome Getafe to the Benito Villamarin. Both sides have European matters on their minds as we approach the latter stages of the campaign, but this is the type of match that neither can afford to lose. Should Betis pick up all three points then they would move level on points with sixth-placed Valencia.
Getafe appear to have overcome their difficult run of form to emerge as a real threat for the final Champions League position. They have won four of their last five matches in the league, but they have been against teams in the bottom half of the table. In many ways, this is the most fascinating match in this round of La Liga fixtures.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of their last five matches with the other ending in a draw. As mentioned, Betis were 4-2 winners in a pulsating clash earlier in the season, but the points were shared in this stadium last season. The omens point to a close fixture between two well-matched teams this evening.
TEAMS:
BETIS: Adrian; Nacho, Chica, Paulao, Amaya; Benat, Canas, Carlos; Castro, Molina, Pabon
GETAFE: Codina; Alexis, Rafa, Fernandez, Escudero; Borja, Leon, Castro, Torres; Barrada, Colunga
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch. Just a quick word on the main team news this evening. No Joel Campbell for Betis, but Dorlan Pablon does start alongside Jorge Molina. Meanwhile, Getafe leave Paco Alcacer on the bench, with Adrian Colunga leading the line. Right, the home side get the action underway.
Not a full crowd inside the stadium this evening, but there is a certainly a strong atmosphere. Both of these sides are in contention for European football, which places more importance on the match. Half-chance for the away side as Colunga strikes an effort from outside the box, but it just moves wide of the post.
Plenty of suggestions that we will have goals this evening as both teams continue to commit players to each attack. It's good work from Jorge Molina as the Spaniard combines with Pabon before finding Juan Carlos, but Rafa is across to make the challenge. Lively opening four minutes to proceedings in Betis.
Half-chance for the home side once more as Benat finds Juan Carlos in the box, the midfielder in turn fires a low cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Pabon, with Alexis across to make the clearance. Just a quick word on the Betis starting side, no place for on-loan Arsenal striker Joel Campbell, who starts on the bench. Getafe launch an attack of their own moments later, but Pedro Leon is penalised for a high foot.
End-to-end football at the moment as both teams commit players to each attack, but neither can find the elusive pass in the final third. Nacho is the latest to embark on a mazy run for Betis, but Fernandez is across to clear the danger. Hardly time to take a breath as Getafe advance straight down the other end. However, no real chances for either side thus far.
Half-chance for the away side as Leon scoops a free kick into the penalty area, Fernandez is the first to react, but he can only clips his effort over the crossbar. Paulao is called into action moments later to deal with a cross from Torres as the Getafe pressure builds. Two well-matched teams on display this evening.
Again it's good work from Getafe as Colunga advances down the left before whipping a dangerous cross into the box, but Canas is back to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is whipped into the box by Leon, but Rafa can only clip his header wide of the post. Still goalless at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
It's good running from Pabon as the pacey striker chases down Alexis before gathering possession on the right, but his cross just would not fall for Benat, who had made a late run into the penalty area. Meanwhile, both sides have just been frustrated by a series of offside decisions in the last couple of moments.
Getafe have just started to take control of the possession in the last few minutes with Leon a threat in a wider position. Another half-chance arrives as Colunga strikes an effort from close range, but Adrian gets down well to make the save. It has been a really impressive 16 minutes of football from the away side.
CHANCE! Just about the clearest chance of the match for the home side as Paulao rises highest in the penalty area, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper. Colunga has a half-chance down the other end after he evades Chica, but his effort is straight at Adrian. End-to-end football as Borja is booked for a challenge on Molina.
Again it's good work from Pabon as the Betis striker turns on the edge of the box before striking an effort towards goal, but it is deflected behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is whipped into the box by Benat, but Codina comes through a host of bodies to claim. Enthralling 20 minutes of football, but the score remains goalless.
Neither side has really taken control of the match thus far, but there have been plenty of suggestions that we will have goals this evening. Colunga is again a threat for Getafe as he collects a high ball in the box before striking towards the bottom corner, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Another deep cross comes from Leon, but Paulao clears.
The home supporters appeal for a penalty as Pabon's cross is met by the hand of Borja, but the referee does not make the decision, although replays have shown that the contact was outside the box. Barrada is a threat down the other end as he drives into the box, but Nacho comes across to challenge at the final moment.
The end-to-end tempo of the match continues as Castro drives into the Getafe box before firing an effort towards goal, but Rafa steps across to make the block. Colunga is involved down the other end moments later, but there are no takers on his low cross. Somehow, the score remains goalless with 27 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the home side as Castro drives into the box before attempting to find Pabon, but Borja is on hand to make a fine challenge. The resulting corner is met by Chica, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
The home supporters continue to make their voices heard inside the stadium, but the tempo of the match has just dropped in the last few minutes. Still plenty of signs that both teams are prepared to commit players to each attack, but the quality of the final pass has just been lacking as we approach the final period of the first half.
Getafe just cannot get out of their own penalty area at the moment as Betis continue to pass and probe outside the box, but they just cannot find that final ball behind this stern away defence. Not too much from Colunga in the last five minutes or so with the Getafe striker starved of possession. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Juan Carlos collects possession outside the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. The resulting goal kick is brought out of the air by Torres, who attempts a spectacular effort, but it was always flashing wide of the goal.
Leon is again the danger for Getafe as he collects possession on the right before dropping a wonderful ball behind the Betis defence, but Paulao is across to challenge Barrada. Meanwhile, the referee has once more been called into action to deal with a number of late challenges.
Good pressure from the away side in the latter stages of the half as they force two corners in quick succession, the first is tipped onto his own crossbar by Adrian before Rafa heads the second over the crossbar. Little under five minutes of football remaining in the first period, with the score still level at 0-0.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to open the scoring as Leon throws himself at a loose ball in the penalty area, but somehow Adrian manages to gather under pressure from two attackers. That really should have been the opener. It remains goalless, but I am not quite sure how.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of poor challenges in the opposing half. However, it has not been a particularly ill-tempered affair. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: Betis 0-0 Getafe
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. There have been plenty of attacking opportunities for both sides, but neither has really threatened in the final third. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 57%, but they have managed just two attempts to Getafe's five. If it were a boxing match, then Getafe would just about be winning on points. But there is still a lot of football to be played.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a host of attackers on the bench in the shape of Joel Campbell, Alvaro Vadillo and Igiebor. Meanwhile, Getafe have the likes of Paco Alcacer, Gavilan and Lafita in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
As it stands, Betis would remain in seventh position in the table, four points off the top four, while Getafe would sit one spot and one point behind. That is a measure of just how important the second 45 minutes are in terms of the race for Europe. The second period is just moments away.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second half. No changes for either side at this stage of the match which is perhaps not too surprising. It is the type of game that could be won by the odd goal. Right, the away side get the action underway.
Slight problem for Rafa as he collides with his own goalkeeper, but following a spell of treatment he is deemed fit to continue. A half-chance comes for the home side moments later as Benat collects possession outside the box, but he can only fire his effort wide of the post.
Frustrating start to the second half for the forward players with Pabon and Colunga both caught offside for each team in the last couple of moments. Pabon does manage to beat the offside trap moments later before moving into the box, but once more Fernandez is across to make the challenge. Both sides have been impressive in defence thus far.
Controversial moment as Fernandez appeals to fell Castro in the penalty area, but the referee points for a goal kick rather than to the penalty spot. The defender did get a little bit of the ball, but I have certainly seen them given. A corner arrives for the home side moments later, but Chica can only head wide of the post.
No movement on either bench in the early stages of the second period, although I suspect that will change in the next 10 minutes or so. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Colunga once more advances into the Betis box, but he cannot lift his effort over Adrian, before Castro is chopped down by Borja moments later.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of moments as Diego Castro puts two crosses into the penalty area in quick succession, but both are cleared by the Betis defence. Ruben Castro attempts to carry the threat down the other end, but once more the final pass is short of the desired destination.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Ruben Castro fires a dangerous cross into the Getafe box, but Molina just cannot make contact. It has been a largely frustrating evening for the Spanish striker, who has been starved of service. I suspect we will see Joel Campbell for the home side sooner rather than later.
Getafe make their first change of the match as Lopo replaces Rafa, who did appear to pick up a knock in the early stages of the half. His change almost brings a goal for his side as he fires a dangerous cross towards Xavi Torres, but Adrian comes through a host of bodies to claim.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Nacho drives down the right before firing a low cross into the box, but it evades everyone before moving out for a goal kick. Meanwhile, Betis make a double change as Campbell and Vadillo replace Juan Carlos and Molina.
CHANCE! The opportunities are starting to fall for both sides as Xavi Torres drives into the Betis box before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and we still await the opening goal of the match.
Slightly scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of poor passing in midfield. Betis come close to opening the scoring from a free kick as Benat looks for the bottom corner, but Codina is across to make the save. The resulting corner also causes problems in the box, but Alexis does manage to clear under pressure from Nacho.
Again Betis have an effort from distance as Pabon combines with Castro before striking an effort from distance, but it just flashed past the post at the final moment. You just get the feeling that one goal could be enough to pick up the three points. A goal either way would be massive in terms of the league table.
This time Campbell is the threat for the home side as he darts past two defenders before finding Pabon on the edge of the box, but the striker just cannot sort out his feet, with Borja on hand to make a last-ditch challenge. Stunning atmosphere inside the stadium with little under 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
Another half-chance for Betis as Pabon collects possession in the box before striking an effort towards goal, but Codina gets down to make the save. The resulting corner is fired towards the penalty spot by Verdu, but once more the Getafe goalkeeper is out to claim. Still goalless as we approach the latter stages.
Getafe make their second change of the match as Barrada is replaced by Angel Lafita for the final 13 minutes or so. Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about in the last few moments with Betis very much the side looking for the three points. It is surprising that we have not seen any goals at this stage of the match.
Handbags at dawn between the two sets of players as they clash in the middle of the pitch following a late challenge by Alexis, who picks up a yellow card for his troubles. Escudero is in the wars moments later as he turns an ankle and is indeed replaced by Lacen. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Really scrappy period of the match in the last few moments with both sides guilty of poor challenges in the final third. The latest foul presents Getafe a free kick outside the penalty area, but Leon's effort is beaten away by Adrian, with Benat on hand to clear the rebound.
You can almost sense the nervousness in the stadium at the moment as Getafe continue to enjoy more and more of the ball, but the home side remain a threat on the counter with the pace of Campbell and Pabon. The latter has an effort from distance, but once more it is straight at the goalkeeper.
Betis make their third change of the match as Igiebor replaces Benat, who appeared to pick up an ankle injury in a challenge with Borja. Colunga is once more a threat down the right for the away side, but his cross never had enough power to find Lopo, who had stayed forward from defence.
Little under one minute of normal time remaining in Betis, with the two sides still level at 0-0. Of all the matches to produce no goals, I would have placed this near the bottom. That said, we still have time for late drama. Betis once more threaten as Pabon whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Codina comes through a sea of bodies to claim.
Really scrappy end to the match with both sides guilty of a host of poor challenges. In truth, the referee has not really got to grips with this game. No real chances to report with both teams seemingly settling for a share of the spoils. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of added time and we are indeed into the first of those.
Campbell wants a penalty for the home side as he picks up possession before driving into the box, but he is booked for diving under slight contact from Alexis. Little over one minute of stoppage time remaining, but neither is offering too much of a threat. It appears we are heading for a goalless draw.
FULL-TIME: Betis 0-0 Getafe
So there we have it. Neither side can make the breakthrough as the points are shared in a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for Champions League football tomorrow. Until then!
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