Betis, who knocked out Real Madrid in the last round, held out against the UEFA Cup holders in a derby that was high on effort and tension but low on skill and entertainment.

Sevilla have a slight advantage in the tie as they will go into the return leg on February 28 knowing that a score draw will be enough to put them into the semifinals.

The remaining first leg games were played on Wednesday with Real Zaragoza holding the edge in their tie against league leaders Barcelona after a 1-0 victory at the Nou Camp, the Catalans' first home defeat in almost a year.

Bernd Schuster's Getafe and Deportivo Coruna hold the whip hand in their ties after emphatic first-leg victories.

Getafe were in unstoppable form as they overpowered Osasuna 3-0 at home, while Deportivo came from a goal down to defeat second division leaders Valladolid 4-1 at the Riazor.