Real Madrid consolidated their place at the summit of La Liga with a late goal helping them to a 2-1 win over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu. FC Barcelona had earlier in the day lost to Deportivo La Coruna which made this match a must-win for Real Madrid. And the match started in the worst possible way as Betis took the lead in the 24th minute through Antonio Sanabria.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was on target once again to equalise for Los Blancos and half time approached with both sides on level terms. A red card to Cristiano Piccini in the 78th minute gave Real Madrid some belief that they could snatch this match away from the visitors. Sergio Ramos – like he has done on numerous occasions – scored the winner late in the game to give all three points for his side.
On that note, let's take a look at the five talking points from an exciting league game between Real Madrid and Real Betis:
#1 Keylor Navas has a torrid night
The Costa Rican goalkeeper’s torrid season worsened last night. He was very lucky to stay on the pitch after he committed a terrible foul on Betis striker Darko Brasanac just 20 minutes into the game. Navas came out of his area and attempted to clear the ball but missed it altogether and took out the striker instead. The referee on the night, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, was wrong to not give Navas his marching orders as it was a clear red card offence.
He then let in an easy Sanabria shot from 25 yards through which Navas should have gathered comfortably. But he spilt the ball and it rolled into the back of the net much to the despair of Navas and the crowd at the Bernabeu.
Though he made a stunning save in the final minute of the game, it is certain that Real Madrid are going to sign a custodian in the summer.
#2 Two peculiar goals from Real Madrid’s most important players
Four minutes from the half-time interval, Marcelo whipped in a delightful cross for Ronaldo to head home a bullet of a goal from just seven yards out. Ronaldo's positioning meant that he was unmarked when he headed home his trademark header and equalised for his side.
This was his 210th goal for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and has now scored five goals in his last six matches.
Last night’s winner by Real Madrid was the same routine as has been the case throughout the season. Los Blancos won a corner, fired in a brilliant delivery and ‘El Capitan’ Sergio Ramos, rose the highest to nod it home.
Real Betis are the latest victims of the Ramos inspired wins for Madrid as the centre back again scored when it mattered the most. Since the start of last season, Ramos has scored 19 goals when his team has been on losing or on equal terms, which is a mind- boggling statistic for a centre back.
#3 Real Betis' performance shows La Liga's competitiveness
Before the game, Real Betis were given absolutely no chance of causing Madrid any trouble with their away record this season being one of the worst in the first division. Betis started the game in 14th place and had some decisions gone their way, they would have been able to script a memorable result at the Bernabeu.
Earlier on Sunday, Deportivo La Coruna who started the match against FC Barcelona just one place above the relegation zone, beat the Catalan team 2-1. Leganes drew against Sevilla this weekend, while Atletico Madrid were saved from an upset against relegation battlers Granada by an Antoine Griezmann goal, six minutes from the end.
These results reflect the tough nature of the league which often goes unnoticed because of the might of the top two clubs.
#4 A match to forget for Alvaro Morata
There have been many calls from the supporters to start Alvaro Morata in place of Karim Benzema this season. But in the last month or so, the Spaniard has failed to have the desired impact for Real Madrid as he again went unnoticed for the majority of the match against Real Betis.
In his start last night, Morata attempted just one dribble in his 71-minute appearance while also losing out on four aerial duels. He was substituted for Karim Benzema in the final quarter of the game as the Frenchman's arrival brought a sense of urgency in the home team's attacks.
Morata simply has to do more to justify his place in the starting lineup.
#5 The dream of a double still goes on
Recent performances have been below par from Zinedine Zidane's men with their league form being dodgy at best. FC Barcelona were breathing down their neck and after their surprise loss, it was a must-win match for Real Madrid against Betis. A victory meant that Madrid now have a two-point lead at the top of the pile with still a game in hand.
Though not performing as well as they did in the Champions League, it was enough for Real Madrid to guarantee all three points. The dream of a league and Champions League double is still intact, and Madrid put in a performance of a championship-winning team – grinding out results even when not playing well, which makes them the favourites to win the coveted league after five long years.
