Real Madrid’s title hopes are dwindling as they sit eight points behind Barcelona with five matches left to play. On April 24, 2026, they faced Real Betis at Estadio de La Cartuja. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, costing Madrid crucial points in the La Liga title race.
Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 17th minute. He capitalized on a mistake by Real Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles, who spilled a save right into the path of the Brazilian. It seemed like Madrid would secure all three points.
But just when it looked like they had the victory, Héctor Bellerín scored a last-minute equalizer for Real Betis in the 94th minute. The goal came on the final kick of the game, stunning the Madrid players and fans alike.
The late goal ended Madrid’s hopes of taking all three points. They have now won only one of their last six matches across all competitions—a worrying trend for a team aiming for the title.
Real Betis had a solid performance, controlling 52% of possession throughout the match. They also outshot Real Madrid, registering 19 total shots compared to Madrid’s 12. However, Madrid managed to put more shots on target—8 compared to Betis’ 4.
As the title race heats up, observers note that every point matters. With Barcelona maintaining an eight-point lead, pressure mounts on Real Madrid. Their next matches will be crucial if they hope to close this gap.
Kylian Mbappé remains a focal point for discussions about potential signings to bolster Madrid’s squad. Yet for now, their focus must remain on upcoming fixtures as they strive to regain form.
