Marcos Assuncao put Betis ahead but the visitors from Pamplona hit back seven minutes later through Valmiro Valdo.

David Rivas made it 2-0 after 36 minutes and Ricardo Oliveira wrapped up the points with a third nine minutes from time.

The Andalusians, cheered on by their home supporters, were quickly into their stride and after two minutes the first chance fell their way.

It was all down to a trademark dash down the right by the club's Spanish international winger Joaquin Sanchez.

Joaquin crossed the ball low to Oliveira who was perfectly positioned but his shot was well saved by Juan Elia in the Osasuna goal.

Eight minutes later the home side took the lead through their experienced Brazilian midfielder Assuncao.

The former Roma player won the ball from Osasuna and fired a speculative shot goalwards but the ball took a freak bounce off the pitch to deceive Elia.

The visitors from the Basque country did not take long to get back on terms and it was Valdo who supplied it.

Ludovic Delporte crossed the ball and both Pierre Webo and Richard Morales left the ball to Valdo who made no mistake with his finish.

Three minutes later Osasuna threatened again as Webo launched a daring solo raid but, after beaing several defenders, his shot was saved by Antonio Doblas in the Betis goal.

After 32 minutes Betis won a dangerous free-kick after a handball by Jose Josetxo.

Assuncao, frequently a scorer with the dead ball when he was a member of Roma's 2001 Scudetto-winning side, bent the ball just wide of Elia's post.

The Seville outfit then took the lead and once again Assuncao was in the thick of the action.

Assuncao delivered another fine free-kick and Rivas was perfectly positioned to put the Andalusians ahead.

In the second period, Osasuna started well in search of what would be a second equaliser if they could find it.

A minute after play resumed Morales delivered a perfect cross for Inaki Munoz whose shot ended up in the crowd.

However, at the other end Betis could have extended their lead when Oliveira picked up a loose ball but his fierce shot failed to find the target.

Ten minutes later Doblas came to the rescue again for Betis when he saved well with his right foot from Savo Milosevic.

Osasuna were pouring players forward in search of the equaliser and a superb dribble from Fernando Fernandez almost did the trick but his shot from the right failed to find the target.

Javier Aguirre's side were made to rue that miss when Oliveira finished them off by firing past Elia with Osasuna players looking in vain for an offside decision by referee Jose Losantos Omar.

In stoppage time Osasuna almost pulled one back when Valdo created a chance for Milosevic whose header went wide of the mark