04/24/26 05:02:00
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04/24 17:01 CDT Betis equalizes in stoppage time and deals blow to Real Madrid
slim title hopes
Betis equalizes in stoppage time and deals blow to Real Madrid slim title hopes
SEVILLE, Spain (AP) --- Real Madrid's already slim hopes of winning La Liga
were dealt another blow when Real Betis scored a stoppage-time equalizer in a
pulsating 1-1 result on Friday.
Madrid was left trailing league leader Barcelona by eight points with only five
games to play. Barcelona has a game in hand at Getafe on Saturday.
The match started well for visiting Madrid as Vinicius Junior scored 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 in the rebound.
Betis, though, was not overawed and Andriy Lunin, in goal for the injured
Thibaut Courtois, made at least two world-class saves to keep his side in the
game.
At the other end, Kylian Mbapp had a goal chalked off for offside, annulling a
superb assist from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Betis kept pushing for an equalizer and it came in the dying seconds.
Ferland Mendy went down and appealed for a foul but the referee waved play on
and former Arsenal defender Hctor Bellern calmly side-footed home inside a
packed penalty area to the delight of the 54,000 fans at Betis' Estadio La
Cartuja.
The result meant Madrid has failed to win five of its last six games in all
competitions.
Betis, meanwhile, was in fifth place, six points ahead of Getafe and seven
behind Atletico Madrid.
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