That was a crazy game. Six goals (five of which, not un-coincidentally, came at one end), two penalties, a sending off, a stunning free-kick - and still time for both sides to miss clear-cut chances to win the game in the last five minutes. It was hugely entertaining stuff for everyone but the home supporters who, with Valladolid losing surprisingly at the same time, saw their side blow a decent opportunity of reaching the play-offs.
The first thing you need to know that one goalmouth resembled a long-jump sandpit, making it virtually impossible for goalkeepers to move around their area comfortably. (Poor Iñaki Goitia, making his first start in 17 games, must have wondered what he'd done to deserve that.) And this little patch of desert made its first contribution in the 29th minute, when a Montañés shot through a crowded area appeared to take a nasty hop off the sand over Goitia's hand. 1-0.
By then Betis had recovered from a dozy start and were beginning to assert themselves, although Alcorcón always looked dangerous on the break. The home team's third-choice keeper, Eladio, made several top-class saves (mostly from Rubén Castro) to preserve the lead, which was extended just before half-time when Momo gave the ball away in midfield and a swift counter-attack finished with Montañés hitting a nice shot into the far right-hand corner (possibly helped by Goitia being stranded in quicksand).
It was another of those days when Betis found themselves down at half-time without playing too badly (and enjoying 62 per cent of the possession). So it was no particular surprise when they got a goal back on 60 minutes, Rubén Castro tucking a penalty away after a clear foul on substitute Jonathan Pereira.
The game's key incident came shortly afterwards. Cañas hit a poor pass in midfield, which Alcorcón quickly turned into attack. Over-anxious to make up for his mistake, Cañas actually compounded it by rugby tackling an opposition forward who was in the process of shooting on goal. Red card, penalty, 3-1, no complaints.And actually, the pity of it wasn't so much being reduced to 10 men, but the goal conceded. At 2-1, Betis were favourites to score at least one more; at 3-1 they looked doomed.
Not that they were, actually. After 20 minutes of mostly Alcorcón midfield possession, Beñat took aim with a 25-yard free-kick and, for the first time since the Elche game back in September, found the top corner (again, possibly helped by the goalkeeper scuffling around in sand).
Just a minute later, the scores were tied. A lovely Jonathan Pereira pass found Jorge Molina in the area, and he did what Jorge Molina invariably seems to, ie put the ball smartly in the back of the net.
Nor was that the end of the action. Alcorcón took advantage of some wobbly Betis defending to hit the crossbar in the last few minutes, while Rubén Castro missed a one-on-one with the keeper by hitting his shot just softly enough for the ball to get slightly held up in the goalmouth sandpit, allowing a defender to clear right off the line. It was mad stuff, which meant little or nothing to Betis but cost Alcorcón their whole season. Ouch.
With Rayo Vallecano winning at Cartagenar, Betis mustnow beat Villareal B next weekend (or hope their rivals can't win) to lift the Segunda championship. Does that count as something to play for? I'm not sure, but I'm guessing Pepe Mel's line-up for the last game of the season will be just a touch stronger than it was today.
Betis: Goitia; Juanma (Pereira, min. 53), Roversio, Belenguer, Isidoro; Beñat, Arzu (Miguel Lopes, min. 46), Cañas; Momo (Sergio, min. 67), Rubén Castro and Jorge Molina.
Goals: 1-0, min. 29: Montañés. 2-0, min. 40: Montañés. 2-1, min. 60: Rubén Castro (pen). 3-1, min. 62: Quini (pen). 3-2, min. 82: Beñat. 3-3, min. 83: Jorge Molina