Football
Reuters 18y

Soccer-Dani's hat-trick in vain for Betis

MADRID, Feb 5 - Real Betis striker Dani scored a
hat-trick but ended up on the losing side when his team went
down 4-3 at Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

Real Zaragoza, who knocked league leaders Barcelona out of
the Cup on Wednesday, stormed into a 4-0 lead inside the first
22 minutes at La Romareda, Argentine striker Diego Milito
weighing in with a neat double.

Dani began the fightback when he turned in from close range
immediately after the restart.

The pint-sized striker grabbed two more early in the second
half to make it 4-3, but although Zaragoza had defender Chus
Herreros sent off nine minutes from time the visitors were
unable to complete an unlikely comeback.

Betis were also reduced to 10 men when defender Fernando
Varela was sent off for a second booking in injury time.

The win pushed Zaragoza up into ninth place and will provide
them with a valuable boost before next week's King's Cup
semi-final against Real Madrid. Betis are hovering three points
above the relegation zone.

Chile striker Mark Gonzalez, who signed from Liverpool last
week, scored the winner on his debut for Real Sociedad six
minutes from time to secure a 2-1 victory at home to Real
Mallorca.

Defeat pushed Hector Cuper's side bottom of the table while
Sociedad moved six points clear of the danger zone in 12th.

Leaders Barcelona will be looking to notch up a
record-equalling 15th consecutive win in the league when they
host an improving Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp later on
Sunday.

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