Osasuna | 2 - 1 | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| Miguel Flaño (39') |  | Rubén Castro (80') |
| Javad Nekounam (90') | | |
| Date | : | Sun, Dec 4, 2011 | Time | : | 18:00 CET |
| Play on | : | Spanish Primera Division |
Osasuna 2 - 1 Real Betis 4th Dec Highlights 2011 Osasuna secured a smash-and-grab Primera Division victory over luckless Real Betis thanks to Javad Nekounam's fantastic injury-time winner.
Miguel Flano had given the hosts the lead in the first half after poor marking by the visitors but Betis were the better side after the break and deservedly levelled when Ruben Castro turned in Jonathan Pereira's cross with 10 minutes remaining.
Betis looked the most likely winner in the closing minutes but it was Osasuna who stole the points with the last kick of the game, Nekounam firing home a fine free-kick.
Betis coach Pepe Mel admitted prior to the match that he would almost certainly lose his job if his side made it 10 league games without a win, but this was a harsh defeat, with his players bossing the match.
Salva Sevilla nearly had the visitors ahead in the seventh minute but saw his free-kick rebound off the post.
One of the failings of Mel's side has been their tendency to concede sloppy goals and they did so again six minutes before half-time, Flano guiding a simple downward header past Casto from Alvaro Cejudo's corner.
But Los Verdiblancos responded after the break, Pereira carving out Roque Santa Cruz's first chance only for Andres Fernandez to get down well to save.
The Paraguayan then dragged a shot wide when through on goal before Fernandez blocked Ruben Castro's point-blank shot with his face.
Another Pereira burst forced Lolo to clear from under his own crossbar with Castro waiting to apply the final touch, but the breakthrough Betis deserved arrived when Castro steered home Pereira's cross for his first goal since September.
Betis continued to dominate and Castro was unlucky to see his flicked header come back off the crossbar before Fernandez saved superbly from Santa Cruz.
Osasuna had a sucker punch awaiting the visitors, however, Nekounam firing home a stunning free-kick in stoppage time after Nacho had needlessly blocked off Roland Lamah on the edge of the area.source
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