Osasuna down despite win

Osasuna beat Real Betis on Sunday afternoon but it was not enough to keep the Pamplona outfit in the Primera Division.

Osasuna beat Real Betis on Sunday afternoon but it was not enough to keep the Pamplona outfit in the Primera Division as results elsewhere relegated them. In a match which was suspended for more than 35 minutes after a frightening incident in which a section of fencing collapsed, injuring a number of supporters, Osasuna did enough to see off rock-bottom Betis but could not get the help they needed from Real Valladolid, who lost to Granada. Oriol Riera put the hosts on their way in the 12th minute before Javier Acuna doubled Osasuna's advantage two minutes later. Betis defender Chica reduced the arrears in the 70th minute but the visitors could not find the equaliser. Riera's opening goal sparked wild celebrations, but they were abruptly halted when a lower guard rail behind the goal gave way. Several fans fell forward and the match was immediately halted as the emergency services rushed to provide treatment. It was reported that five supporters were taken to hospital but none of their injuries were said to be serious. It was more than half an hour before the match resumed, and the decision was made to postpone second-half kick-offs elsewhere with so much riding on Sunday's matches. The home side made it 2-0 soon after the restart when Acuna pounced on a rebound after Adan had got down to keep out Roberto Torres' thunderous strike. Betis first threatened in the 35th minute but Juanfran's drive towards the top-left corner of goal was saved by Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez. Fernandez was again called into action early in the second half to save Afred N'Diaye's powerful header from Salva Sevilla's cross. The visitors continued to press forward and were rewarded when Chica drilled a 30-yard effort towards the far post and out of Fernandez's reach. Fernandez then denied Betis the equaliser with a one-handed save from Ruben Castro's bullet strike from 15 yards. Osasuna held on for the win but there were no celebrations as the news filtered through to the supporters that Granada had won their game to consign the hosts to relegation.