In the midst of a busy schedule, Real Madrid returned to domestic competition this Saturday in an intense fight with FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid to be crowned champions. The Whites visit the Benito Villamarín on matchday 26 to face Real Betis with their minds also on the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atlético de Madrid, who will play this Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid missed the chance to move top of the table in a game in which they went ahead very early against Real Betis, who equalized before the break and then took the lead from the penalty spot. A penalty that Real Madrid later claimed, but Hernández Hernández did not see it that way.
Early goal for Real Madrid
The first possession of the game went to the Whites, who were controlling the ball at the start of the game. The Green and Whites’ defense was strong against Real Madrid’s possession, who were moving the ball from side to side, close to the home area. A prowling around the rival area that soon bore fruit for the Whites. Brahim opened the scoring. The ball was filtered by Mbappé for Mendy to arrive in the Green and Whites’ area, who provided the pass of death for Brahim to simply have to push it in and make it 0-1 before ten minutes of play had been completed.
Brahim could have been the protagonist of the second goal with a cross that he connected with the Brazilian Rodrygo at the far post, but his header went over the crossbar. It came very forced. Real Betis were struggling to get into the Merengue area with any danger, the Verdiblancos tried set pieces. Rüdiger cleared a lateral free kick taken by Isco, but Ricardo Rodríguez, who collected the rebound, tried a long-range shot, sending his attempt well over the crossbar.
A draw before the break
In the response, Vinicius’ attempt to extend the Whites’ lead almost went in. The Brazilian winger sent in a shot from the baseline that grew in power and ended up hitting the net above the Green and Whites’ goal. It almost surprised Adrián. The action at the Benito Villamarín intensified with an attempt in the opposition area by Marc Bartra, again from a set piece. A loose ball fell inside the Madrid box after a free kick taken by Isco, but the Real Betis centre-back’s shot went wide of the right-hand post.
Real Betis showed their desire and the equalizer arrived. Isco’s corner found Johnny Cardoso unmarked in a defensive mismatch for Real Madrid. The American, with a powerful header, managed to beat Courtois and equalize the scoreboard. With the goal came the rain at a Benito Villamarín where the scoreboard would not move before the break, but not because Betis didn’t try. First Antony, a left-footed shot from the Brazilian winger from the top of the box that grazed Tchouameniy and went very close to the crossbar. Courtois prevented the second. Tremendous hand from the Belgian to deflect another header from Johnny Cardoso from a corner kick. A draw and everything to play for in the second half.
Real Betis takes the lead
Despite Real Madrid having more of the ball, a defensive error condemned Real Madrid to find themselves behind on the scoreboard. Rüdiger was fouled by Jesús Rodríguez as he went one-on-one with Courtois. A penalty that was converted by former Real Madrid player Isco. Isco did not miss, shooting to his left, beating the dive of Courtois who had guessed his intentions.
Almost immediately afterwards, Real Madrid asked for a penalty. Rodrygo went down in the area, claiming that Jesús Rodríguez had touched the ball with his heel. Hernández Hernández said there was nothing. And the requests for penalties continued, now it was Real Betis again. Ricardo Rodríguez went down in the area, complaining about a tackle from Tchouameni. Hernández Hernández said nothing at all.
An intense finale
Real Betis could have scored the third. Cucho had it. The Colombian striker received the ball inside the area, easily got away from Tchouameni, but his shot across Courtois went wide of the left post. Vinicius took his chances in search of the equalizer with a long-range shot from the Brazilian winger that Adrián managed to catch. Despite the attempts, Carlo Ancelotti’s team did not test Betis, who took three golden points and left the Whites without the leadership. The way is clear for Barça and Atleti.
Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid
MATCH INFO
Real Betis: Adián; Sabali (Ruibal, min 79), Bartra, Llorente, Ricardo Rodríguez; Johnny Cardoso, Altimira (Natan, min 89); Antony, Isco, Jesús Rodríguez (Chimy Ávila, min 70); Cucho Hernández (Babkambu, min 79)
Real Madrid: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, Alaba (Camavinga, min 58), Mendy (Fran García, min 84); Tchouameni, Modric; Brahim (Arda Güler, min 58), Rodrygo, Vinicius; Mbappé (Endrick, min 74)
Goals: 0-1, min 9: Brahim. 1-1, min 33: Johnny Cardoso.
Referee: Hernández Hernández (Canarian Committee). Bookings: Brahim (min 31), Rüdiger (min 53), Alaba (min 56), Isco (min 80), Chimy (min 81), Vinicius (min 85), Altimira (min 88)
Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 26 of LaLiga EA Sports played at the Benito Villamarín Stadium, Seville.