Real Madrid have reduced the deficit behind leaders Barcelona to just eight points, after Vinícius Júnior's opening goal was cancelled out in injury time, as Real Betis clawed back a 1-1 draw to make it four home league H2Hs unbeaten.
2025/2026 La Liga
1-1
Match Report
After scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in Tuesday’s win over Alavés, Vinícius Júnior required less than 20 minutes to break the deadlock at Betis’ temporary La Cartuja home. The Brazil international had the simple task of stroking an inviting rebound after Álvaro Valles had parried Federico Valverde's driven strike from distance. The hosts were left dazed by Vinícius’ 13th league goal of the season and barely laid a glove on their opponents.
That was the case, at least, until they suddenly burst into life during the dying embers of the first period. Deputising for the injured Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin was required to make three crucial interventions in quick succession, including two fine stops to thwart Antony.
After being reminded of the precarious nature of their lead, Real Madrid briefly thought they had established a two-goal cushion when Kylian Mbappé volleyed home from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s clipped cross. However, the assistant’s raised flag and the video technology confirmed Mbappé had taken up an offside position, denying him a goal on his 100th competitive appearance for Los Blancos.
With Real Madrid still in touching distance, Manuel Pellegrini’s men threatened to level the contest through HT substitute Cucho Hernández, whose half-volley required a fingertip from the alert Lunin. The Ukrainian’s opposite number, Valles, was then forced into action to keep Mbappé and Valverde at bay and his team in the hunt for a point
Those stops grew in importance when Héctor Bellerín netted a dramatic equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The former Arsenal man pounced on a loose ball in the box, guiding a composed finish in at the near post to extend Real Madrid’s wait for a LaLiga clean sheet to 10 matches. Bellerín's second goal of the season puts fifth-placed Betis six points clear of the chasing pack, while Barcelona now have the chance to stretch their lead over Los Blancos to 11 points.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' There seems to be a handball by Brahim in the box but the ref signals no penalty
8' Mbappe leans back and sends a volley soaring over the bar from inside the box
13' Trent provides a long through pass, Mbappe receives the ball but sends it high
17' GOAL! Vini Jr fires the rebound into the bottom corner! Betis 0-1 Real Madrid
26' Brahim's strike hits the defender's hand in the box, but the ref takes no action
32' Bartra subs off as he suffers an injury and Diego Llorente comes on
37' Mbappe is down in the box but the ref takes no action
40' Yellow Card! Huijsen booked for his harsh tackle on Antony
44' Antony latches on to a precise pass and fires a strike, but it is saved by Lunin
47' Two promising shots from Bakambu and Antony are both denied by Lunin
53' Mbappe has a goal ruled out for offside!
61' Bellingham connects with a pass and aims a shot but his attempt is saved
66' Cucho receives a low pass and shots, but Lunin dives superbly to deny him
70' Mbappe receives a neat pass and strikes, but the keeper makes an incredible save
80' Valverde dribbles the ball and burst into the box, but his effort is saved
82' Mbappe off, Gonzalo Garcia on
86' Vini Jr waves pass the defenders but his soft strike is saved by the keeper
90' Antony is down in the box but the ref takes no action
Line-ups
Betis XI: Rodriguez, Bartra, Bakambu, Bellerin, Amrabat, Álvaro Fidalgo, Álvaro Valles, Fornals, Antony, Abde Ezzalzouli, Natan
Subs: Isco, Chimy Ávila, D.Llorente, P. Lopez, Roca, Lo Celso, Ruibal, Cucho Hernández, Riquelme, Sergi Altimira, Nelson Deossa, Valentín Gómez
Real Madrid XI: Rudiger, F Mendy, Alexander-Arnold, Mbappe, Valverde, Brahim, Lunin, Vinicius, Bellingham, Dean Huijsen, Thiago Pitarch
Subs: Alaba, Carvajal, Fran García, Camavinga, Manuel Ángel, Álvaro Carreras, Gonzalo García, Raúl Asencio, Franco Mastantuono, Jorge Cestero, Diego Aguado, Javi Navarro