Real Madrid's already slim hopes of winning La Liga were dealt another severe blow when Real Betis scored a stoppage-time equalizer in a pulsating 1-1 result on Friday night. The draw leaves Madrid trailing league leaders Barcelona by eight points with only five matches remaining. Barcelona, who have a game in hand at Getafe on Saturday, could extend their lead to 11 points if they secure victory.
Match Highlights
The match started promisingly for the visitors as Vinicius Junior found the net for the second time in four days. Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles could only parry Federico Valverde's long-range shot, and the Brazilian striker followed up to slot home the rebound. However, Betis were not overawed by the occasion, and Andriy Lunin, deputizing for the injured Thibaut Courtois, made two world-class saves to keep his side in the contest.
At the other end, Kylian Mbappe had a goal disallowed for offside, nullifying a superb assist from former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. Manuel Pellegrini's side continued to push for an equalizer, and it finally came in the dying seconds of added time.
Dramatic Finish
Ferland Mendy went down appealing for a foul, but the referee waved play on. Former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin calmly side-footed home inside a packed penalty area, sparking wild celebrations among the 54,000 fans at Betis's Estadio La Cartuja. The result means Madrid has now failed to win five of its last six games in all competitions.
Betis, meanwhile, remain in fifth place, six points ahead of Getafe and seven behind Atletico Madrid. The draw leaves Real Madrid's title aspirations hanging by a thread as Barcelona close in on another La Liga crown.
