Osasuna vs Real Betis. Spanish La Liga.
Reyno de NavarraAttendance15,000.
Sunday 21 October 2012 21:05, UK
Osasuna could not mark Patxi Punal's record-breaking appearance with victory as they were held 0-0 by Real Betis.
Osasuna could not mark midfielder Patxi Punal's record-breaking appearance with victory as they were held in a stalemate with Real Betis. The 37-year-old Punal lined up in midfield to break the club's record of 463 appearances, but the match itself proved a largely frustrating experience as Betis stood firm, and the visitors would have won the match but for an assistant's flag denying Ruben Castro a first-half goal. The result leaves Osasuna still rooted to the foot of the table, while Betis missed the chance to push into the top four. Given the contrasting situations the two teams are in, Betis were expected to dominate and they had the first clear sight of goal in the ninth minute, when Paulao headed wide from Salva Sevilla's free-kick. But Osasuna then began to take charge, with Alejandro Arribas heading wide, Roland Lamah missing a good chance with a close-range volley and Emiliano Armenteros watching Adrian tip his shot over the crossbar. The hosts breathed a sigh of relief, however, when Ruben Castro fired in a volley only to see the flag raised for offside. Betis had the first chance of the second half, a shot from Castro that was charged down before Osasuna resumed their attacks. Joseba Llorente's header was off target, while a good save from Adrian diverted Lamah's shot around a post. Betis were second best and when they did have an attack they failed to trouble Andres, with Damien Perquis heading wide from a corner and Ruben Castro's lob going wide. The goalkeeper did get a little work out late on as Betis began floating crosses into his area, but he dealt with all that came his way comfortably.
