Real Betis vs. Real Madrid: Score, Reaction from 2016 La Liga Match
Real Betis held on to a 1-1 draw with a rampant Real Madrid in La Liga on Sunday night as the Galacticos threw everything at their opponents at the Benito Villamarin Stadium.
Alvaro Cejudo gave Betis a shock lead after only seven minutes, but manager Zinedine Zidane's men controlled the match as they worked tirelessly for a winner after Karim Benzema scored an equaliser with 19 minutes remaining.
Betis' defence earned their stripes as they heroically battled Madrid's world-class front line, but Real will feel aggrieved not to have collected maximum points. The result keeps Los Merengues four points behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the title race.
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James Rodriguez replaced injured Gareth Bale in the Los Blancos' starting XI, who faced a Betis team low on confidence and form after a disastrous run of results in recent weeks.
However, it was the hosts who started with aggression and intent in the opening minutes, as Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas was called into action.
The Andalusia crowd was on its feet after seven minutes as Betis took a shock lead through Cejudo. The player's wicked volley rocketed past Navas with conviction, sending the home supporters into rapture.
WhoScored.com highlighted the significance of the strike:
The goal shook Real into life, and the Galacticos began the task of achieving parity. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema looked a collective menace, but Madrid failed to immediately strike back, with the Portugal international fluffing his lines.
Benzema was denied a blatant penalty 10 minutes before the break, as he was tripped in the area.
Football writer Sid Lowe called the action as the Frenchman tumbled in the box:
The Galacticos struggled to make inroads into the Betis defence despite having plenty of the ball. Ronaldo was not having his best match, failing to move through the gears—and Betis hung on to their slim advantage until the break.
WhoScored shared the vital statistics during the break, with the player ratings showing Ronaldo's disappointing contribution:
Real appeared keen to quickly deal with the deficit in the second half, but once again the hosts continued to frustrate their illustrious opponents.
James started to work his way into the match, becoming more influential with every passing moment, and Ronaldo's work rate clearly improved as the visitors hunted in packs.
However, the Portuguese icon simply could not get onto chances in the penalty box, with Benzema increasingly looking like his side's most likely.
Betis' attack had become completely redundant as Real poured forward, and they were finally rewarded when James provided Benzema with a tap-in.
The Colombian superstar was clearly offside on television replays, but the officials allowed play to continue for the easiest of finishes to square the match.
Real's official Twitter feed shared Benzema celebrating his vital goal:
Madrid had a vice-like grip of Betis in the final 10 minutes as they pummelled the hosts' back line.
Benzema was once again denied by a scrambling Betis defence when it looked like he would score, but a solid rear guard saved the day.
The pace of Los Blancos' attacks were suffocating their opponents, and it only seemed a matter of time before Real grabbed a winner.
Podcast host Stel Stylianou was hugely impressed with Madrid's emphatic work rate but took a swipe at Ronaldo's performance:
"Haven't seen Real Madrid fight this much & put in a shift for a long time. The pressure to perform for Zidane is immense!
— Stel (@OnAMadness) January 24, 2016"
"Much as rate CR7, if Messi was playing for Real tonight, this game would be over by now
— Stel (@OnAMadness) January 24, 2016"
Madrid created plenty in the final minutes, as Benzema and James failed to convert excellent chances, but as the game rushed to its conclusion, Betis almost stole the win.
Joaquin ran beyond the Madrid defence in stoppage time at the end of the game and cut in on his left foot, smashing his effort towards Navas' goal. The ball swerved agonisingly wide in what would have been one of the biggest smash-and-grabs of the year.
The Betis crowd celebrated at the final whistle like they had won the match, and the performance will give them immense hope of avoiding relegation this term.
Zidane cut a frustrated figure in the Real dugout as his superstar contingent failed to earn a desired second goal, but he will be pleased with the overall endeavour of his side.
Madrid worked incredible hard in the second half, but the poor showing from Ronaldo will cause raised eyebrows from certain quarters.
Post-Match Reaction
Zidane admitted he did not expect to drop points away to Betis but was philosophical on a night his team showed attacking verve and intent, per Squawka News:
Betis are next in La Liga action on Saturday, when they travel to Real Sociedad. Real feature on the following day, as they host Espanyol.
