Betis remains on the ropes

Rayo Vallecano beat Real Betis Balompié 3-1 on matchday 34 of the Liga BBVA campaign. The defeat makes any chances of Gabriel Calderón's side staying up very unlikely, while the win earns the Madrid outfit three highly valuable points and moves them a step closer to salvation.

Two mistakes by Paulão were punished during the first half hour of the match. The home side's first goal came after the Betis defender's pass to Adán was pounced on by Rubén Rochina, who finished it off with ease. The centre back's misfortune was compounded thirteen minutes later when in trying to clear a Anaitz Arbilla cross he inadvertently put the ball in his own net. With his confidence rattled, Paulão asked to be taken off but his team mates didn't give up the fight and Léo Baptistão and Rubén Castro both had chances to close the gap between the sides.

After the half time break, Joaquín Larrivey killed off the game after making the most of a rebound in the visitors' box. Rayo controlled the rest of the match and could have made it four had Larrivey and Iago Falques' shots not come off Adán's woodwork. Javi Chica grabbed a consolation goal in the 80th minute, but was unable to prevent another Betis defeat, one which all but condemns the Andalusian side to relegation.