Real Madrid looked in trouble when 2-1 down at half-time, but 'Los Blancos' gathered themselves and Betis conceded three goals in 15 minutes. A fun and entertaining encounter that ultimately saw the scales tipped in the visitors' favour.
One of those games that football fans love, not so much so the managers on the touchline. The clash at the Benito Villamarin showcased everything that is great about La Liga while calling to question the defensive potential of both sides.
The hosts looked confident of getting a result as they came into this clash on the back of two straight wins, especially after beating Real Madrid earlier in the campaign at Santiago Bernabeu. A sight to behold welcomed the teams as they emerged from the tunnel to the 60,000-seater packed stadium, with scarves, flags and banners on display.
Marco Asensio appeared lively from the start, splitting the Betis defence early on with a bursting run forward before his cross was gathered by Antonio Adan. And it was the 22-year-old forward who opened the scoring, courtesy of slack defending from the hosts to allow Lucas Vazquez the space and time to square for Cristiano Ronaldo, who fired at goal from 15 yards. Adan parried the ball away but only as far as Asensio, who stooped to head into the bottom corner.
Without Modric and Kroos in the Real midfield, Betis targeted that area with Mateo Kovacic looking a little sleepy in possession. Zinedine Zidane’s men attempted to protect their lead and provided very little going forward. Under increasing pressure from the hosts, Bale and Ronaldo failed to have an impact on the counter.
Betis had all the chances and eventually got what they deserved. The equaliser was all about Joaquin’s cross, with Mandi rising high to bullet a header in past Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican goalkeeper had previously impressed with a smart save to deny a Joaquin free-kick 25 yards out, but there was nothing he can do to stop Betis from capitalising on their dominance.
And three minutes later, the rampant hosts struck again, Joaquin driving down the middle and releasing Junior down the left. Navas did enough to keep out his weak low shot, deflecting it towards Nacho. The defender's appalling touch saw the ball roll into the net.
- Quickfire turnaround -
The early goal should have settled Real Madrid down but they went into their shell and Betis provided more questions for Zidane to answer. The hosts took a deserved advantage into the break and more electric attacking from the hosts followed in the second half, but it was Real's turn to strike next. Sergio Ramos rose to meet a corner, thundering a header past the outstretched arm of Adan.
The Betis goalkeeper twice denied Gareth Bale, who cut an altogether frustrated figure after another subdued performance. Asensio, however, made no mistake to give his side the lead again, side-footing a Carvajal cross first-time into the bottom corner. The side managed by Quique Setien never abandoned hope and it ultimately cost them at the back. Ronaldo was given too much space in the area and the striker cut onto his right foot before sending a venomous strike through Adan.
The action seemed to peter out before Sergio Leon came off the bench to give the game the grandstand finish it deserved. Junior spinned a great cross into the back post for Leon to slide past Navas and set up a nervy final minutes for Real. Zidane brought on Karim Benzema in an attempt to run the clock down, and the Frenchman did more than that as he finished clinically into the corner to seal the deal in injury time.