Real Madrid welcomed Real Betis to the Bernabeu on Sunday night looking to move two points clear at the top of La Liga.
It was Betis that took the lead on the night in the 25th minute through Antonio Sanabria, but Real Madrid levelled five minutes before the end of the first period courtesy of a header from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Betis were forced to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Cristiano Piccini picked up a second yellow card, and Real Madrid made use of their one-man advantage as Sergio Ramos headed their second in the 81st minute.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Real Betis. On paper, it should be a routine home win, but Barcelona and Sevilla will both be hoping that Betis can pull off something special. Stay tuned for what should be an entertaining game!
In terms of the head-to-head, Real Madrid have not lost in their last six La Liga matches against Betis – recording five wins in the process. What's more, Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 13 league games between the two teams at the Bernabeu, which is a run that stretches back to October 1998, when Betis recorded a 1-0 win in this stadium - courtesy of a strike from Finidi George.
Real Madrid actually won 6-1 when they travelled to Betis for the reverse match earlier this season, while they put five past the Seville club in the corresponding match last term. All the signs point to a tough night for Betis, who have only won one of their last eight in the league to drop into 14th position.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Both of these sides were in action during the week – Real Madrid were in Naples on Tuesday booking their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Napoli, while Betis drew 1-1 away to Deportivo La Coruna in the league on Wednesday night.
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TEAMS!
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; James, Morata, Ronaldo
BETIS: Adan; Piccini, Mandi, Pezzella, Tosca, Durmisi; Pardo, Brasanac, Ceballos; Sanabria, Castro
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made four changes to the team that started against Napoli - Nacho, Isco, James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata replacing Pepe, Casemiro, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema in the first selection. Cristiano Ronaldo is fit despite concerns over a muscular problem, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric both keep their places in the middle of the park.
As for Betis, Ruben Castro returns to the XI after sitting out their mid-week game with Deportivo, and the experienced forward starts alongside Toni Sanabria in attack. It is once again a five-man defence for the Seville outfit, with Cristiano Piccini, who scored against Deportivo, and Riza Durmisi operating in the wing-back positions. Joaquin and Alex Alegria are both on the bench for the visitors.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Madrid. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts. Real Madrid will enter this match down in second position in La Liga – just one point behind the leaders Barcelona, who lost 2-1 at Deportivo La Coruna earlier this afternoon.
Real Madrid now have two games in hand over both Barcelona and Sevilla, and a win tonight would see them move two points clear of Barcelona, still with a game in hand. Los Blancos remain in charge of their own destiny and it has been a brilliant weekend for them with both Barcelona and Sevilla – who drew 1-1 with Leganes on Saturday – dropping points. Can they take advantage? We shall see!
Real Madrid lost one of their rearranged fixtures away to Valencia on February 22, before drawing at home to Las Palmas on March 1. They will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 win over Eibar in their last league fixture, however, and will be confident of making that back-to-back victories tonight.
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As mentioned, Los Blancos were in Champions League action on Tuesday night, and a 3-1 win over Napoli in the second leg of their last-16 tie saw the reigning champions progress to the quarter-finals. Not many teams win in Naples, but it was a very impressive second-half performance from Zidane's side, who trailed on the night before turning things around to advance into the last eight.
In terms of what is ahead for the Spanish giants, they will travel to Athletic Bilbao for their next league match on February 18, before returning to action after the international break at home to Alaves. Zidane's side will also have a two-legged Champions League quarter-final to play next month.
As for Betis, the Seville outfit currently sit 14th in La Liga on 28 points. They have won seven and drawn seven of their 26 matches, in addition to suffering 12 defeats. Victor Sanchez's side have only won one of their last nine in the league, but they are currently nine points clear of the relegation zone.
🔛🔋⚽️ pic.twitter.com/DxwDfWz1W7 — Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis) March 12, 2017
Betis will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw at Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday night, meaning that Real Madrid have actually had longer to prepare for this fixture despite their Champions League exploits. That said, both managers have shuffled their pack for this match.
Betis finished 10th in La Liga last season on their return to the top flight, but it does appear that they will struggle to match that position this time around. They are clear of the relegation zone, but currently sit nine points off the top 10 and it does appear that Sanchez's side are heading for a bottom-half finish. The atmosphere continues to build as kickoff draws closer at the Bernabeu!
Goals have once again been a problem for Betis this season, and it is not surprising that Ruben Castro is their top scorer once again this term. The 35-year-old has eight goals in 24 league appearances, while Joaquin, Antonio Sanabria and Alex Alegria all have three league goals to their name. Castro and Sanabria both start tonight, but Joaquin and Alegria are on the bench.
Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of the first period at the Bernabeu. Zidane has shuffled his pack tonight, but this Real Madrid team should be too strong for the visitors. Let's hope for an entertaining and action-packed night of action in the Spanish capital.
KICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...
... it has been a brilliant weekend for Real Madrid with Sevilla and Barcelona both dropping points. However, it will mean little if Real Madrid do not collect maximum points from this match. As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges here.
Ronaldo dances into the Betis box and goes down under the challenge of Tosca, but the referee is not interested and waves play on. James then delivers a dangerous cross into the Betis box, looking for Morata, but smart defending from Mandi sees Betis escape with just a corner conceded.
Decent possession for Betis in the last couple of minutes as they are allowed to pass and probe in Real Madrid's half of the field, but Ramos is on hand to sweep up and the danger is cleared.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to take the lead as Morata breaks into the Betis box and delivers a low cross towards Ronaldo, but his effort is well wide of the post!
Betis just need to find a way of getting through this tough period as Real Madrid continue to dominate possession of the ball. The visitors are a threat when they manage to break forward, however, with Sanabria playing close to Castro. Goalless with nine minute on the clock here.
James hits one from distance, but his effort is straight into the arms of Adan.
CLOSE! Isco just misses the post with a rasping strike!
SAVE! Comfortable save for Navas as he keeps out Castro's effort.
Betis continue to live dangerously at the back as James breaks the lines, but the visitors are saved by the offside flag. Real Madrid, however, are also looking a bit untidy in defensive areas.
Real Madrid have been the better team in the opening 18 minutes of this match, but Betis have also shown that they are dangerous in the final third of the field. I actually fancy both teams to score tonight, but I would be astounded if the home side did not collect all the points in Madrid.
Pardo hits one from distance, but his effort was always wide of the post.
It is the Betis supporters making most of the noise at the moment as their side continue to defend in numbers and frustrate Real Madrid. James, Isco and Morata continue to drift all over the pitch as Ronaldo holds the left, but the away side's five-man defence is working a treat at the moment.
CONTROVERSY! Big moment in this match as Brasanac goes through on the Real Madrid goal before beating Navas to the ball and going down, but the referee is not interested! Could have been a red card and a free kick in a very dangerous position. Big call from the referee here!
Ronaldo went straight down the other end for Real Madrid and hit the side-netting. But Betis are still smarting from that decision from the referee. Surely Navas had to be sent off there!
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Real Betis (Sanabria)
Oh my word! Howler from Navas! The Real Madrid goalkeeper looks to have dealt with a low strike from Sanabria, but somehow the ball bobbles out of the stopper's arms and goes over the line!
Well, this is quite the weekend in Spain's top flight. Deportivo beat Real Madrid earlier this afternoon and now Betis are winning at the Bernabeu. Ramos has the chance to hit back for the home side, but his effort from a Kroos corner is over the crossbar. What a seven minutes here!
BOOKING! Piccini (Betis) is booked for a tug on Marcelo.
Navas is being whistled by sections of the Bernabeu crowd each time he has the ball, which is not good to hear. He has made some excellent saves in recent weeks and put in some strong performances, but that was an awful error for the Betis goal and his confidence will be very low now.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Betis still lead courtesy of that bizarre goal from Sanabria, with the striker's effort somehow escaping the clutches of Navas.
Betis' five-man defence is working a treat at the moment as the away side continue to clear their lines. Real Madrid are doing their best to remain patient, but the home supporters are a little restless and want a quick response. Fascinating game of football at the Bernabeu tonight.
Penny for your thoughts... pic.twitter.com/L1bXRP0icM — Spanish Football Pod (@tsf_podcast) March 12, 2017
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Betis are pretty comfortable dealing with Real Madrid's threat here. The home side need more from Ronaldo and Morata in the final third.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Real Betis (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid level five minutes before the break as Ronaldo heads a wonderful Marcelo cross into the back of the net. Betis have been unable to hold onto their first-half lead here.
It is tough on Betis, but Real Madrid have not exactly been water-tight at the back tonight and the visitors will certainly fancy their chances of finding at least one more goal in the capital here.
It must be said that this first period has absolutely flown past.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Real Betis
So there we have it. The referee brings an action-packed first half to a close with Real Madrid and Real Betis level at 1-1. The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute through Sanabria, whose effort somehow escaped the clutches of Navas, but Ronaldo headed Real Madrid level in the 40th minute. Navas is also fortunate to still be on the field after a last-man challenge on the advancing Brasanac.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 73%, while they managed 10 attempts - three of which were on target. Betis, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their three attempts in the first period. Just the one yellow card to report - Betis' Piccini in the 30th minute.
BENCH WATCH! Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema and Lucas Vasquez are all on an attacking Real Madrid bench tonight, while Alegria, Donk and Joaquin are among those available to Betis boss Victor Sanchez. You get the feeling that this match might well be won off the bench tonight.
RESTART! Betis resume the action at the Bernabeu...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace in Madrid.
You just get the feeling that Betis will need to score again if they are to stand a chance of securing a positive result. I am finding it difficult to imagine Real Madrid not finding a second goal in the second period of this match. Already the pace from the home side looks much quicker here.
Piccini breaks into the Real Madrid box as the home side are caught out once again, but the right-back cannot find a teammate with his low cross and Nacho is on hand to clear behind.
SAVE! Smart save from Navas to keep out a header from Mandi.
Victory for Real Madrid tonight would be a big step in the right direction, but Betis also fancy taking three points from this game as they continue to commit players in the final third. The visitors face a nervy moment inside their own box as James and Isco both have shots, but there are bodies in the way!
Betis continue to play their football in Real Madrid's half of the field, but they need to be careful about the counter-attack from the home side, which seems to be on a lot of the time. Still plenty of this second period left to play, although the home supporters could start getting restless.
Good football from Betis as they continue to pass and probe, although Navas has not had a save to make since keeping out that header from Mandi. It is very delicately balanced at the Bernabeu.
CHANCE! Super chance for Betis as Ceballos drives into the Real Madrid box before finding Castro with a low cross, but the striker fires into the stands. Should do better!
SAVE! Comfortable save for Adan to keep out Modric's effort.
Super challenge from Durmisi to prevent Ronaldo from breaking into a one-on-one situation with the Betis goalkeeper. There were no complaints from Ronaldo, which suggests the ball was played!
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes, especially Zidane, who has a lot of firepower on the bench. Betis remain a serious threat at the Bernabeu as they continue to commit four, five players to each break forward here.
James swings a long-range effort wide of the Betis post.
BETIS SUB! Petros replaces Castro for Betis.
Still no movement on the Real Madrid bench, but surely we will see Benzema before the night is out. Morata has been excellent off the bench this season, but has struggled from the start here.
Little over 20 minutes of the second period remaining and we are still locked at 1-1 in the Spanish capital. Lucas Vasquez appears to be getting ready to join the action for the home side.
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas replaces James for Real Madrid.
Benzema is also preparing to enter the frame for Real Madrid.
REAL MADRID SUB! Indeed, Benzema is called for. Morata departs.
Ronaldo has the ball in the back of the net for Betis, but the offside flag is raised.
You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail. Barcelona and Sevilla will be desperate for Betis to hold on, but Real Madrid have a lot of firepower on the field, and still the best part of 20 minutes to find a second goal. Still a lot of football to be played before the night is out.
Ronaldo misses the post after breaking into the Betis box.
Brilliant defending from Nacho as the Real Madrid centre-back comes across to block a cross from Ceballos, which looked to be heading for Pardo. Betis are still threatening a second goal here.
RED CARD! PICCINI!
Piccini picks up a second yellow card for pulling Lucas outside the Betis box!
REAL MADRID SUB! Asensio for Isco is Real Madrid's final change.
Still a solid 10 minutes to play at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have a one-man advantage. It would be really tough on Betis if they were to concede a second in the latter stages here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis (Ramos)
Oh my word! Had to be him! Sergio Ramos is into double figures for the season as the centre-back heads home at the far post after meeting a corner from Kroos! He cannot stop scoring!
BETIS SUB! Navarro replaces Mandi for Betis.
BETIS SUB! Alegria replaces Brasanac for the away side.
BOOKING! Marcelo (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
Time is running out for Betis, and in truth, I am not sure what the away side have left.
Pardo strikes one from distance, but his free kick is straight into the wall.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
Time is running out for Betis as a long pass from Petros goes out for a Real Madrid free kick.
SAVE! Wonderful save from Navas to keep out Sanabria's header!
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis
So there we have it. Real Madrid secure a vital three points as they return to the top of La Liga - one point ahead of second-place Barcelona, who have still played one game more. What a big win for Zidane's side! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
