Real Betis moved above Valencia for the moment thanks to a 5-1 thumping of Granada today at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes. Rúben Castro led the way for Betis scoring twice and picking up an assist as well.
Granada vs. Real Betis, 2013 La Liga: Final score 1-5, Castro leads Béticos in a rout
Real Betis absolutely hammered Granada behind a brace from Rubén Castro and moved into a Europa League place for the moment.
Betis are now in sixth place, one point ahead of Valencia though Los Che can retake the spot with a win or draw against Valladolid on Sunday.
Betis’ Nosa Igiebor got the match going with a yellow card in the opening minute for an ugly two-footed tackle on Mikel Rico. He was lucky not to be shown a red card honestly.
That was the low point from Betis and it was all unicorns and rainbows from there for Pepe Mel’s side.
Rúben Castro put Betis ahead 1-0 in the 30th minute with a combination of trickery and an excellent shot. Álvaro Vadillo found Castro on the left side of the Granada area and the striker completely faked out the defense as he made to shot but stopped, causing multiple players to jump out towards him. Castro them took a dribble left and fired a low shot inside the post.
Two minutes later Betis doubled their lead after Dorlan Pabón’s shot form outside the area hit off the crossbar and appeared to cross the line. Just to be safe Castro fired the ball into the empty net and ensured Betis was up 2-0.
A third goal in four minutes? Sure why not.
Pabón’s free kick from 30-yards was headed off the crossbar by Paulao and bounced off Granada defender Iñigo López’s chest and into the net for an own-goal.
The second half was really no better for Granada as eight minutes in, Betis added a fourth goal. This time Castro found Pabón on the right side of the area on a break and the striker smoothly beat Toño with a low shot.
Granada did finally get a goal in the 72nd minute when Aranda got a slight header on Juanma Ortiz’s cross into the area, directing the ball off Adrián’s fingertips and into the net.
As El Graná had already conceded four goals, including an own goal, Guillherme Siqueira took it upon himself to add a red card to the mix, picking up his second yellow in the 79th minute for a pathetic dive as he attempted to get a cheap penalty.
Ángel López got in on the fun in the 85th minute adding a fifth goal for Betis on a counter attack. It's the second time this season that Betis has scored five goals in a game on the road. Betis will now prepare for the El derbi Sevillano next weekend when they host their city rivals Sevilla. Granada remain precariously perched in 16th place, four points clear of the drop zone pending the rest of this week's results.
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