Advantage Mallorca After Real Betis Victory

RCD Mallorca 1-0 Real Betis Balompie

Mallorca stand on the verge of the Copa del Rey semi-finals after taking a first leg advantage from their victory against Real Betis. The Beticos will complain that they had a goal disallowed - a matter of much contention - but the result stands at 1-0.

The hosts had the best of the opening ten minutes, but the finest chance of the opening stages fell to Achille Emana on the 18 minute mark. The Cameroonian - from whom the word "audacious is never far" attempted an incredible midfield lob to shock Dudu Aouate, and wasn't far away from finding the target.

In fact Betis were to take the lead - or so they thought. On the half hour mark Damia Abella seemed to have played Xisco - who had lost his marker - through on goal for a valid one-on-one. The forward repaid the wide man with a lovely chip over Dudu Aouate, but he was ruled offside by Alvarez Izquierdo - a debatable decision that perhaps only a video can sort out.

Mallorca always had a little touch of danger about them through Alhassane Keita, but the half ended with the ever-impressive Damia having a sniff on goal.

Five minutes after the break Xisco came inches away from opening the scoring after being put through by Juanma, but Mallorca's Castro came even closer after getting the better of Monzon and almost converting Varela's cross.

When the opening goal came, though, it was down to a defensive error. With Melli completely asleep, Keita was able to dribble the ball past the back line and beat Aouate.

The game died down after this, and the last chance fell to Keita right at the death, but Mallorca had already done enough.

Match Stats: Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Betis (Copa del Rey)