Match Report
Bellerín's Last-Gasp Strike Denies Real Madrid in Seville
Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid
April 24, 2026
169d ago In a dramatic La Liga encounter at the Benito Villamarín, Real Betis snatched a 1-1 draw deep into stoppage time, canceling out Vinícius Júnior's first-half opener and leaving Real Madrid's already faint title hopes hanging by a thread .
First Half: Vinícius Breaks the Deadlock
Real Madrid started brightly under manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who has been at the helm since replacing Xabi Alonso earlier this season . The breakthrough came in the 17th minute. Federico Valverde unleashed a powerful shot from distance, and when Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles could only parry the ball into the danger zone, Vinícius Júnior reacted quickest to slot home the rebound .
The goal gave Madrid a deserved lead after a dominant opening spell. However, rather than pressing for a second, Arbeloa's men allowed Betis to grow into the match .
Lunin's Heroics Keep Madrid Ahead
The story of the first half was not Vinícius's goal but the performance of Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian produced three outstanding saves before the interval to preserve his side's advantage:
· A close-range denial of former Madrid man Isco
· A sharp stop to tip Cédric Bakambu's header over the bar
· A crucial save to thwart Antony after the Brazilian dribbled into the box
Lunin's reflexes ensured Madrid entered the break with their 1-0 lead intact, despite Betis registering more total shots .
Second Half: A Tense Affair
The second period saw Betis dominate possession while Madrid defended deep, attempting to protect their slender advantage . Clear chances were scarce for both sides. Arbeloa introduced fresh legs in midfield to steady the ship, but Madrid's attacking output faded as the half progressed.
As the clock ticked toward 90 minutes, a gritty, Lunin-inspired victory seemed inevitable. But the football gods had other plans.
94th Minute: Bellerín Breaks Madrid Hearts
Deep into stoppage time, with Madrid seconds away from a vital win, Betis launched one final attack. Antony—who had been a persistent threat all evening—robbed Ferland Mendy near the touchline and drove to the byline . His perfectly-weighted cross found an unmarked Héctor Bellerín at the far post, and the veteran right-back volleyed home to send the Benito Villamarín into delirium.
Final score: Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid.
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#real-madrid#real-betis#laliga#vinijr
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