Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini was delighted with his players after their victory over Valencia.

Real Betis defeated Valencia 3-0 to end a four-match winless streak and keep alive its hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

It was a rematch of the Copa del Rey final won by Betis in a penalty shootout last month.

Willian José, Sergio Canales and Borja Iglesias all struck the second half to move fifth-place Betis within three points of Atlético Madrid and four of city rival Sevilla.

Betis was coming off two losses and two draws in its last four league matches, including a 2-1 home defeat against Barcelona after conceding four minutes into stoppage time. Betis last played in the Champions League in 2005-06, after it finished fourth in the Spanish league.

It ended sixth in the league in two of the last four seasons, with its lone title coming in 1934-35.

“While there is still a mathematical chance, we have to keep believing," Pellegrini said. “All we can do is win our last two matches, even though we know it will be difficult for the other teams to lose points."