There were no goals in the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu. The hosts dominated the encounter and saw an early goal disallowed by the VAR as well as Betis clearing everything that was thrown at them. Zidane's men should have had a late penalty, but it was not given by the officials.
Real Madrid failed to take advantage of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid's slip ups this weekend as they came up against a well organised Betis team in defence. Despite their best efforts, especially late on, it ended goalless.
Betis showed attacking intent early on, but Benzema had the first chance of the game after Luka Modric cleverly let Dani Carvajal's pass go through his legs, but Joel in the Betis goal made a fine stop to his right. Two minutes later, Hazard looked to have put the home side in front, but the VAR spotted that the Belgian was offside from Benzema's pass.
Ramos and Kroos then tried their luck before Nabil Fekir hit a curling strike wide of the far post in the 21st minute for the visitors. Even though Real Madrid were better, Betis were comfortable in defence. They even had a couple of chances themselves like when Guardado shot towards goal after Courtois completely misjudged a corner.
The home side then picked up and Benzema was inches away from getting on the end of Carvajal's cross before Zidane's men had a great chance. Ramos was denied by Joel from point blank range after Modric's long pass was beautifully chested down by Benzema two minutes before the interval. At the other end on the stroke of half-time, Varane made a blunder 25 yards from goal and Loren, who saw Courtois off his line, went for goal. It was going in until Courtois dived to his left to make a tremendous save.
The second half took a while to liven up as both teams had just one half chance in the opening 15 minutes, but once it got going, it was lively. Many Real Madrid fans were up off their seats thinking they had scored in the 64th minute after Mendy ran onto a pass and towards goal. He was one on one, but with all the target to aim at, who somehow skewed his effort wide. Ramos completely miscued a shot seven minutes later, but from the 80th minute onwards, it was relentless.
Nine minutes from time, Real Madrid were convinced they should have had a penalty when Benzema's cross into the box hit Zou Feddal's outstretched right arm. It was not deliberate, but with the new rules this season, he clearly made himself bigger and it should have been a penalty. The on-field referee Jose María Sanchez Martinez waved away the appeals and the VAR backed up his colleague.
Seconds later, then was pinball in the Betis box and then Feddal tested Courtois from 30 yards. There were plenty of gaps appearing as Real Madrid pushed for a winner and Emerson and Vinicius both had opportunities before stoppage time began. Then, in stoppage time, Vinicius had a double opportunity, but he was denied by Joel in the Betis goal and Betis were hanging on for dear life. A minute later, Kroos' corner fell to Vinicius and then Carvajal's shot went through bodies and hit the goalie. As Ramos was about to tap home, Betis managed to scramble clear.
Real Madrid headed wide the resulting corner and Betis were desperate to hear the final whistle. Fekir even tried to attack for Betis in the dying seconds instead of going to the corner, but in the end, Betis were delighted to get a vital point. Real Madrid were the better side, but were only extremely threatening in the last 15 minutes of the contest. They were the better team and should have won, but Betis were fine in defence and the controversial refereeing decision did not go Madrid's way. As a result of the draw, Barca stay top of La Liga.