Real Betis - Real Madrid summary: score, goals & highlights | LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis - Real Madrid: as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
Aaaaand breathe!
What a fluid, frantic and simply fantastic game of football.
Real Betis and Real Madrid completely cancelled each other out in a match which saw drama from the first few minutes.
Rodrygo started the game off in stunning fashion, first dancing into the box and seeing a penalty denied before watching his assist get ruled out for offisde.
Betis came back into the game and could have had a couple of goals before the break, but Lunin magic saved Los Blancos again.
The second half saw much of the same, with both sides pushing for goal, and it was Jude Bellingham who broke the deadlock with a sublime finish after a delightful one-two with Brahim.
As the clock ticked on, things looked to be going to way of the side from the capital, but Aitor Ruibal's stunning strike would have taken the roof off the stadium if it had one.
The two sides traded blows for the remainder of the game, with Isco almost grabbing a late winner as his header hit the post.
Overall, both sides will be happy not to have lost in what was certainly one of the most entertaining games of the season so far.
That's all, folks!
Thanks for tuning into today's game, it was a cracker!
Check out AS USA for all the latest sports news from LaLiga and beyond!
Joe
Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid: key moments
Here's my summary of the crazy game we witnessed at the Estadio Benito Villamarín which saw Real Betis draw 1-1 against Real Madrid.
FULL-TIME!
Lunin had pushed the cross over the bar for a corner... but the referee says that is all!
LUNIN SAVES!!!!
Again, Soto Grado pulls play back for a very weak foul on Aitor.
Into the final minute...
Real Madrid attack but the referee pulls the game back for a foul that happened around 45 seconds ago. A strange one.
Real Madrid push Betis back as Bellingham sees his loose touch send the ball behind for a goal-kick.
Every break in play has at least 10 players reaching for their knees in an attempt to catch their breath. This game is wild.
6 added minutes, by the way.
Can we have 20?
Rodrygo does superbly well to take it past the defender and slide in for Joselu, who directs his shot one centimetre wide of Rui Silva's goal!
JOSELU MISSES A HUGE CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
That was the moment for the home side, who can't believe the ball didn't fly past Lunin!
The cross came in from the right and it looked like it was Isco who got the final touch with his head before the ball flashed past Lunin and smacked the post!
BETIS OFF THE POST!!!!!!
We're into the final minute of normal time as the home team give it one final push...
CHANCE FOR BETIS
A fabulous pass from Isco finds Diao on the left, but his shot is wayward after taking a touch off the leg of a Madrid defender.
Nacho goes for the cross from long range but the ball is misplaced and can't find Joselu, who is hanging on the coattails of the last defender.
Valverde gets the ball on the edge of the box but he tries to slide it through the legs of the defender instead of shaping to shoot. Betis defend well and survive what could have been a great chance for the away side.
CHANCE FOR BETIS
Diao breaks down the left and his shot is hit well towards goal, but Real Madrid get numbers across to block the effort.
The poor chewing gum in Ancelotti's mouth has done some hard graft this game. Carlo is chewing like a frenzied camel as we enter the final five.
Ayoze Pérez was booked for walking slowly off the pitch.
Nacho & Nico Paz ON
(A surprised) Kroos & Lucas Vázquez OFF
Luiz Henrique ON
Ayoze Pérez OFF
Betis attack with Isco, who goes down on the edge of the box; the referee says no and Madrid recover possession.
Ancelotti is preparing more changes for his side...
KROOS' SHOT FLIES WIDE
The free-kick is from a tight angle on the left and the German goes for goal, with Rui Silva forced into a good save.
Joselu ON
Brahim OFF
Aitor Ruibal gets the first yellow of the game for a late challenge on Rodrygo.
We're entering into what will surely be a tense final 10 minutes. Joselu is waiting to come onto the pitch.
The ball is decent but Pezzella clears.
Real Madrid win a free-kick on the right, close to the sideline. Kroos will send it in...
The intensity from the Betis defence is causing Real Madrid all sorts of problems as they try to break through. Nothing is working at the moment as Carlo Ancelotti furiously calculates with his staff on the touchline.
Toni Kroos is missing passes. That's your situation report for how Real Madrid have reacted.
Betis are in complete control as the away side look disconnected between all lines of the team.
Betis win a corner as Aitor's cross is deflected behind by Mendy.
Ceballos, the ex-Betis man, does not receive the warmest of welcomes.
Ceballos ON
Modric OFF
Guardado ON
Altimira OFF
Twenty minutes to go and things just got a lot more complicated for Real Madrid.
I mentioned before that despite going behind, Betis' confidence levels hadn't dropped.
Well they're at 200 right now.
We're underway again and Real Madrid win a corner...
Willian José takes the ball down the right wing and plays a simple ball inside to Ruibal, who had followed behind. The full-back takes a touch and sends a fireball screeching from his boot into the far corner of the goal!
AITOR RUIBAL WITH A SENSATIONAL GOAL
Real Betis certainly have their confidence levels intact after the Bellingham goal, but a more open game is perhaps what Los Blancos are looking for.
Brahim, Modric, Rodrygo and Bellingham all have plenty of space to drive into, which is never a nice prospect for the opposition.
All of a sudden Real Betis are pushing back...
CHANCE FOR BETIS
The ball is swung in by Diao and Willian José takes a touch before leaping into an overhead kick, but the effort is blocked.
Diao ON
Ez Abde OFF
Jude Bellingham overplays the ball on the edge of the box as Madrid come again and Betis defend, although it's very last-gasp from the home side.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
Rodrygo does sensationally well to slide past Aitor on the left and race down the wing. The angle is tight and Brahim is free, but the winger goes for goal and watches his shot slide past goal and fly out at the far post.
Back underway and now I can hear the Real Madrid fans high up in the corner of the stadium.
Bellingham plays from the left towards Brahim on the edge of the box. The Spaniard takes a touch and chips over the defensive line towards the Englishman, who carries on his run.
The number '5' takes it down and slides under Rui Silva to put Real Madrid ahead and continue his fantastic run of scoring goals in Spain!
HUGE CHANCE FOR BETIS
Ayoze's pass round the corner is sensational and finds Isco, who gets in behind Rüdiger before flicking the shot towards goal.
The Real Madrid keeper races out to close the angle and send the ball away from goal!
It is announced that 52,756 fans are at the Estadio Benito Villmarín today as Luka Modric skews a long-range effort wide of the goal.
Rüdiger has twice had to step out and save Real Madrid after loose balls are played wildly on the edge of the box. A nervy start from the outfield players in navy.
Lunin comes out to collect a corner and once again shows his confidence levels are through the roof.
A fantastic display of dominance from the shot stopper.
Both sides start the half in frantic fashion, losing multiple simple passes as the play is rushed.
And we're off again!
Second half underway...
Here come the players!
We're almost ready to go.
No changes for either side.
Half-time stats [BET-RMA]:
xG: 0.68-0-29
Possession [%]: 34-66
Shots: 7-8
Shots on target: 3-1
Saves: 1-3
Acc passes [%]: 88-92
Can Madrid keep up their positive record?
Three of the last 5 games between the two sides have also ended 0-0, so there's that...
Half-time thoughts:
It's been a very even 45 minutes of football in which both sides have had chances to score.
Real Madrid are probably ahead in terms of balance of the game, but Betis have certainly showed their class on various occasions.
The away side started brightly with Rodrygo in particular, who was denied what looked like a penalty before seeing his assist for Brahim's tap-in eventually ruled out for offside.
Real Betis came back into the game mid-way through the half with both Ayoze and Willian José having chances, but Real Madrid have constantly looked dangerous and Alaba's free-kick at the end gave us a hint that there may yet be goals to come.
Half-time!
No goals at the break but it's been a whirlwind 45!
REAL MADRID JUST WIDE
Alaba hits the free-kick furiously and it flies just wide!
Alaba and Kroos are over the ball...
Bellingham is fouled on the right side of the box as the fourth official reveals we'll have 1 minute of added time.
We're into the final minute of normal time in the first half.
Modric is beginning to twang every string of Real Madrid's bow right now: the Croatian finds space behind the Betis defence and swings in a wonderful ball from the right that his teammates don't read.
Rüdiger gets a head on the resulting corner and it's tipped over. The following ball into the box is met by Valverde, who goes for a spectacular volley on the turn, which flies over the bar.
CHANCE FOR REAL MADRID
The away side counter and Modric, seeing the amount of Betis players scrambling back, goes for goal from distance. Rui Silva gets down to save the low shot.
Brahim wastes a chance to put a cross in as he overplays on the right, but a slip from Abner gives Madrid a corner.
Betis defend the poor ball in and Rui Silva asks for calm from his side.
The away side are trying to calm the crazy atmosphere with some calm possession, but it's not working and Betis are still pressing like crazy as the fans push them on.
The fans have also responded to those close calls from the verdiblancos, and the noise levels in here have increased even more!
Real Madrid's levels of focus have just dropped slightly and in that time they let Betis have two fantastic chances. Ancelotti recognises this and sends angry order to his players from the sideline.
HUGE CHANCE FOR BETIS
The home side are coming on strong now: WillianJosé takes a touch on the edge of the box, shapes his body to shoot and whips a ferocious effort low, just past the far post.
HUGE SAVE FROM LUNIN
What a chance for Betis! Ayoze Pérez gets away down the right after Mendy goes to ground. The winger squares to Willian José, who sees his shot deflected and land back with Ayoze.
The former Newcastle man smashes from close range towards Lunin who manages to react and get a huge hand to the rocket shot!
The game is, despite being half an hour old, still being played at a frantic pace, with both sides pushing forward at every opportunity.
Neither manager has sat down since the first whistle.
Ez Abde does superbly well against Lucas Vázquez on the left side, twisting and turning like an itchy dragon before racing towards the byline and playing in a dangerous cross that Madrid deal with.
CHANCE FOR MADRID
Betis push and Madrid recover, countering with Brahim and Lucas on the right. The ball falls to the full-back down the wing but his cross is poor and Jude Bellingham waves his arms in frustration as the move breaks down.
CHANCE FOR MADRID
Bellingham slips Rodrygo in behind with a knife-through-butter pass in between the Betis centre-backs.
Rui Silva reads it well and races out to collect before the Brazilian can get a touch.
My, oh my... what a stunning pass from Real Madrid's number '5' to Brahim down the right, which found an impossible gap between two defenders.
Los Blancos are turning on the style now, and they have Betis pinned back as they ping the ball from left to right, looking for a way in.
Bellingham's cross from the left is floated in and Betis clear, with Madrid immediately smothering their attempt at a counter-attack.
Mendy and Bellingham both try their luck from distance but see their shots blocked by a strong Betis defensive line.
Back underway.
Rodrygo looked just offside in the build-up as Real Madrid attacked down the left. He skipped past two challenges and squared the ball to Brahim, who only had to tap in from a yard out. Alas, the winger was just ahead of the defence when Bellingham played him the ball earlier in the move.
Ah, no... OFFSIDE!
Isco wins a free-kick after being fouled by Modric, who gives him a friendly hi-five once he's back on his feet. Betis are in control of the ball and are pushing Real Madrid back into their defensive third.
The game is incredibly open and already very tense, with both teams throwing everything at their opponents every time they go forward.
Was it a penalty on Rodrygo?
I've just seen a replay and there is indeed contact as Rodrygo drives into the box, but apparently not enough for the referee to give a penalty. We continue.
It's Jaime Latre on the VAR by the way.
CHANCE FOR BETIS
The home side counter and Isco flicks the ball towards Willian José, who can't quite get enough on the ball.
I won't lie, that looked like a penalty on first viewing. Let's wait for a replay.
Rodrygo goes down in the box... and the referee says NO!
Real Madrid come again, this time with Rodrygo on his own down the left wing.
The Brazilian plays across the edge of the box but Madrid's players all leave the ball for each other and eventually the cross is floated in by Brahim towards Rui Silva, who catches easily.
CHANCE FOR MADRID
Rodrygo sends a cross in from the left and it's the man-giant Luka Modric who gets into space but his header is flicked pst the far post from the penalty spot.
Aitor Ruibal and Ayoze Pérez combine on the right side as the full-back slips in behind Mendy. The ball finds his feet but the touch is too heavy and it rolls out before he can get a cross in.
Bellingham gets his first touches, skipping past Altimira and Aitor on Betis' right side. The Englishman links up nicely with Rodrygo but the move breaks down as the home side get sufficient numbers back.
CHANCE FOR BETIS
Ayoze Pérez looks as surprised as everyone else that he's got so much space down the right behind Mendy. The cross comes in and lands with Isco on the edge of the box. He plays left to Marc Roca, who sees his low shot saved by Lunin.
Kroos steps up to steal the ball from Marc Roca and lays right to Modric. The Croatian skips past one challenge but Betis get back well to smother out the attack.
It's a 4-4-2 for Real Madrid in defence with Modric pressing alongside Rodrygo. Brahim is on the right and Bellingham on the left.
And we're off!
Soto Grado blows the whistle and the home side get us going from left to right.
Here come the teams!
The 22 players walk out onto the pitch to a simply fantastic noise!
What an atmosphere...
The Estadio Benito Villamarín rarely disappoints, and today is looking like one of the best of the season so far!
The everlasting duo!
Kroos and Modric; Modric and Kroos.
These two seem to have been bossing it at Real Madrid since, well, forever, and now we're about to see them once again for Los Blancos, with the Croatian wearing the armband in Carvajal's absence.
The pre-game warmups are done!
That means we've got less than 15 minutes to go before the referee blows the whistle to start the game!
Here are the headlines from the build-up:
- Modric captains the side as Carvajal misses out
- Isco included in Betis XI
- César Soto Grado and Real Madrid's recent issue
Rodri pre-match:
I'd love to be playing, but unfortunately I can't, we just have to be there and ready to go when the manager asks.
I like to play passes, so to have strikers who play in between the centre-backs helps me a lot. Their movement helps me play my game.
I always preferred playing through the middle but since I've been here, I've been on the wing, which, given the players we have, is where I get the most opportunities to play.
Half an hour to go!
The two teams have stepped out onto the pitch in the Seville sun and are currently undergoing their respective warmup routines ahead of kick-off.
Here's a reminder of the starting XIs:
If you've just joined us, here's how the two teams will line up for the game:
REAL BETIS:
GK: Rui Silva
DEF: Aitor - Pezzella - Chadi Riad - Abner
MID: Marc Roca - Altimara - Isco
ATT: Ayoze - Ez Abde - Willian José
REAL MADRID:
GK: Lunin
DEF: Lucas - Rüdiger - Alaba - Mendy
MID: Modric - Kroos - Valverde - Bellingham
ATT: Rodrygo - Brahim
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Real Madrid angry with LaLiga...
Real Madrid aren’t happy with what LaLiga have given them over the festive period, with the huge number of games causing havoc for their schedule.
Los Blancoshad planned a week-long break in their timetable towards the end of December in order to allow the players to recharge, but the league have put a spanner in the works, scheduling their game against Alavés late on Wednesday night instead of Thursday, as previously planned.
It has caused outrage at Real Madrid HQ, with the technical staff reportedly unhappy at the league for the change and as a result, removing one more name from the Christmas card list this year.
At this rate, they’ll have little Arda Güler writing festive messages with his left hand and sending them to himself.
Here's how things look before kick-off...
The fans, while not yet inside the stadium, are certainly gathering outside the gates and are making an incredible noise that continues to grow as kick-off gets closer and closer!
Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Isco: the nightmare ex?
One player to keep an eye on is Isco.
The midfielder is shining for Real Betis this season after a couple of years in which it felt like his career was only going one way: east to the Saudis.
However, the Spaniard has found a hole at Betis, left by Sergio Canales, who went to Monterrey in Liga MX, and has flourished.
He has been the driving force behind much of Betis’ positive performances this season and will certainly be a pest for whoever in Carlo's XI is tasked to occupy the hole left by the absences of Tchouaméni and Camavinga.
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ArdaGüler, believe it or not, is finally on the mend!
The little Turk has suffered a grand total of three knee injuriesduring his first 6 months as a Real Madrid player, and is yet to make his debut with the club in any competition.
He was sent home early from pre-season and from then the club have done everything possible to get him fit, even demoting a club doctor.
Now, however, it looks like he is (once again) in the final stages of what has been a long and winding road to recovery.
He's not fit to feature just yet, but Carlo Ancelotti hinted that he's not far off.
Ash Donelon / Getty Images
Where do Real Betis play their home games?
Real Betis play at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, a ground that is, without doubt, one of Spain’s most intimidating yet mesmerising. With a capacity of just over 60,000, the fans make four huge, green walls of noise every game and today, I suspect, will be no different.
Carlo Ancelotti pre-match press conference:
It’s a difficult game, Betis do well at home. They are solid and well organised. The objective is to get the best out of our players and win. We are confident.
[Saudi Arabi] haven’t called me, I live in the present, which is very nice. I have other goals and ideas. I have never thought about money... I grew up in a family where money was not important. I have money, but it’s not the most important thing. I feel good here and I hope I continue to feel good here.
Kepa is back, he’s fine, we have two goalkeepers we trust and tomorrow I’ll choose one of the two. There is competition, Lunin has done very well, but it’s a decision I’ll make tomorrow.
I’ve seen [Isco], he’s playing very well. I’m very happy for him as he brings something to football. He’s had some difficult moments, but he’s come through. We have to control him well.
[Bellingham] has done individual work and has to recover from the ankle issue. The shoulder is a problem that he has to take care of, doing specific work. He hasn’t had any problems playing, he’ll get better with every passing day.
[Güler] is at the end of his recovery and next week he’ll start the most intense part. He’s very close to full fitness. I talk to him every day, as I do with every injured player. And I need a lot of time, because there are a lot of injuries.
We have Tchouaméni and Güler close to returning to training with us. Vini and Camavinga will have to wait until 2024, but I think they will be ready to train with us after the holidays.
Real Madrid to play in their navy away strip
Adidas say that the wiggles across the shirt are "repeating infinity symbols speak to the Real Madrid fans and their unwavering dedication to the club".
"It's also a reminder that match days are as much about the journey as they are the beautiful game", they add.
Who am I to argue with that?
If you feel "spoken to" by the wiggles, let me know @English_AS on Twitter.
Want to watch the game slyly while you do your festive shopping? Well, you’re in luck. You can get the game for free with a free trial of Fubo TV.
Real Betis starting XI:
RuiSilva is in goal, behind a defence of Aitor, Pezzella, ChadiRiad and Abner.
In midfield MarcRoca and Altimira start with Isco ahead of them.
EzAbde and AyozePérez are on the wings with Willian José up front.
JAVIER SORIANO / AFP
Who is the referee?
César Soto Grado is the man with the whistle today in Seville. The 43-year-old official is certainly not on their Christmas card list, as a few seasons ago he reportedly told the players in white “you have had 90 minutes to score, so don’t come at me now complaining about added time”.
Ancelotti even took to the pitch post-game against Osasuna to ask for explanations, so there’s certainly some history between the two.
The official is a seasonedproinLaLiga, and has been in the top division since 2019.
Real Madrid team news:
So, Lunin retains his place in the starting XI as Kepa only makes the bench.
The back four is made up of Mendy on the left, Alaba and Rüdiger in the middle and Lucas substituting Carvajal on the right.
In the middle we have the captain, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde and Kroos.
Ahead of them sits Bellingham, in the '10' role, with Rodrygo and Brahim up top.
It's nice to know Carlo is reading the feed...
58 seconds after giving you the predicted line up, Ancelotti has his official team confirmation published.
You, along with Ancelotti, can all say hello to me on Twitter @English_AS and we can chat football.
Before we get Carlo Ancelotti's incredibly early teamnews, here is how we believe Los Blancos will indeed line up for the game against Real Betis.
Despite the injurywoes that the club have suffered this season, it's still an incredibly strong starting XI at Carlo's disposal for what will undoubtedly be a tricky fixture in southern Spain.
How things look for Betis:
As for Real Betis, they’re hovering just outside the European places in 7th, just one point behind Real Sociedad. A win today would temporarily put them above the Basques, but they play later in just a couple of hours.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 28 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
| 6 | 26 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| 7 | 25 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 2 |
| 8 | 22 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| 9 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
How the table looks for Real Madrid:
Los Blancos are top of the Christmas tree as things stand but their lead is wobblier than a Christmas jelly.
They’re level on points with Girona, who have an identical record to the side from the capital.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 38 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 34 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| 4 | 31 | 14 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | 28 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 |
Team news: Real Betis
What does Manuel Pellegrini want for Christmas? A fully fit squad, I imagine.
Youssouf Sabaly, Marc Bartra, William Carvalho, Claudio Bravo, Nabil Fekir and GuidoRodríguez are all out with various physical issues.
Héctor Bellerín is suspended for the game.
The good news is that Rodri, who was expected to miss out, was included in the squad.
Team news: Real Madrid
You may have seen some of the photos and footage flying around the socials over the past few days as players such as Éder Militão, Arda Güler and Vini Jr have (sort of) returned to training. They’re not quite back with the squad just yet, although Carlo hinted that as for Éder and Arda, they could be back sharpish.
Another player who may indeed make his return is Kepa. All eyes will be on the former Chelsea stopper after Luninimpressed more than most expected, I think it is fair to say.
Dani Carvajal is the main man out for LosBlancos and will be substituted by Lucas Vázquez
Welcome!
Hello, hello and a warm welcome to match day 16 in LaLiga EA Sports.
Today we’ve got the fantastically enticing fixture of Real Betis against Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarín!
It’s Joe here with the pleasure of guiding you through the action as it unfolds in one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.
If you’re out Christmas shopping and need matchupdates, then this is the place to be.