Hector Bellerin’s last-minute equalizer dashed Real Madrid’s hopes of a crucial victory in the title race. The match, held at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on April 24, 2026, ended in a 1-1 draw. This result leaves Real Madrid eight points behind Barcelona with just five matches remaining in the La Liga season.
Real Madrid started strong when Vinicius Junior scored in the 17th minute. His quick reaction to slot home a rebound gave Madrid an early lead. However, Real Betis responded with determination throughout the match.
As the minutes ticked away, it seemed that Madrid would secure all three points. They had 14 shots, eight of which were on target. In contrast, Real Betis managed 17 shots, with five hitting the target. Despite this disparity, they kept pushing for an equalizer.
That push paid off dramatically. In the 94th minute, Hector Bellerin found the net, securing a point for his team. The stadium erupted as fans celebrated the late goal—an emotional moment that shifted the momentum in La Liga.
Post-match reactions highlighted the significance of this draw for both teams. Observers noted that Madrid’s outside chance of catching Barcelona became more remote after failing to win against Betis. “The late goal ended Madrid’s hopes of taking all three points,” one analyst stated.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe was substituted late in the match after signaling to the bench. His condition remains unclear as officials have not provided further details.
This draw complicates Real Madrid’s title aspirations significantly. With five matches left and eight points to make up, their path to reclaiming the La Liga title appears increasingly difficult.
As both teams look ahead, Real Betis will aim to build on this momentum while Madrid must regroup quickly if they hope to remain competitive in both La Liga and their Champions League campaign.
