Betis storm the Bernabeu to open the gap with Barcelona

Following two consecutive draws at home against Valencia and Levante, Real Madrid were looking to put an end to their negative streak at the Bernabeu in order to close the gap on Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo made his first La Liga appearance of the season following his five-match ban and was keen to get back amongst the goals after Messi's exhibition at the Camp Nou saw him grab four goals on Tuesday night.

Real Betis had nothing to lose at the Bernabeu. A mixed start to the season had seen the side managed by Quique Setien win both their home games but falter in their away fixtures and not much was expected from the mid-table Andalusians as they aimed for their first win over Madrid in 19 years.

The visitors managed to claim most of the early possession, looking a composed side at the Bernabeu. The hosts were let off early on when Carvajal was forced to run back and clear Sanabria's finish off the line in the fourth minute.

Zidane's team lacked clarity up front but still managed to react with the away side forced to clear the ball off the line at the other end. Ronaldo took one touch in the six-yard box and, with his back to the goal, tried to back-heel the ball into the net but Javi Garcia chested it away underneath his own crossbar.

Betis gradually took a step back as Real piled on the pressure, but several inaccuracies when going forward saw them create few clear-cut chances in the first period. The away side struggled to get out of their own half but goalkeeper Adan was not put under excessive pressure either.

The first forty-five minutes came to a close with Madrid looking listless in attack, only putting together a handful of half-chances. After the break, th home side looked much better as they swarmed forward in search of a goal.

Betis were a constant threat on the break and Francis Guerrero had a great opening early on. One-on-one with Keylor Navas, the midfielder fluffed his lines and sent the ball straight into the stands.

Carvajal couldn't find the target after Ronaldo's cross found him at the back post, before Kroos' ferocious long-range effort was denied by a superb stop from Adan.

Betis gave up on going forward and just put bodies behind the ball, but Real's play was too slow to break down the Andalusian team's defensive layout. Ronaldo's night was summed up when he skied another clear chance to put Madrid ahead.

Carvajal's cross was superbly met by Bale, who let the ball through his legs before flicking towards goal, but Adan was equal to it as he tipped the ball onto the post. The Bernabeu looked stunned as the minutes went by. The Madridistas grew frustrated with their side failing to deliver a home win for the third consecutive match.

As the match went into stoppage time, Sanabria had the ball in Madrid's goal, but was denied by the linesman's flag. This was only a warning as four minutes later, with Madrid in search of a winner, the striker was unmarked in the box to guide a header straight into the bottom corner.

It was pretty much the last kick of the game that won it for Betis, who soaked up all the pressure and withstood a late onslaught before securing their first victory over Real in 19 years.