La Liga: Betis denies Real
- Real Betis held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw on April 24 after Héctor Bellerín scored in the 94th minute at Estadio La Cartuja. - Vinícius Júnior gave Madrid a 17th-minute lead, but the dropped points left Carlo Ancelotti’s side eight behind Barcelona having played one match more. - Barcelona can move 11 points clear by beating Getafe on April 25, with six league games left in their title run-in (laliga.com).
Real Madrid dropped more points in the title race Friday when Héctor Bellerín scored in stoppage time to give Real Betis a 1-1 draw in Seville. (espn.com) Vinícius Júnior put Madrid ahead in the 17th minute after Álvaro Valles spilled Federico Valverde’s long-range shot and the winger tapped in the rebound. Bellerín equalized in the 94th minute after Madrid failed to clear inside the box. (espn.com) The result left Madrid on 74 points from 33 matches. Barcelona stayed top on 82 points from 32 matches before visiting Getafe on Saturday, April 25. (laliga.com) (fcbarcelona.com) If Barcelona win at the Coliseum, Hansi Flick’s team will open an 11-point lead with five matches left for Madrid and six for Barça. Betis, meanwhile, stayed fifth on 50 points and in the European places. (laliga.com) Madrid also had an injury concern late in the match when Kylian Mbappé signaled to the bench and was substituted. ESPN reported the forward asked to come off near the end. (espn.com) Barcelona head into the weekend without Lamine Yamal for the rest of the season. Hansi Flick said Friday that his players must give “more than 100%” to finish the title race without him. (espn.com) The schedule now puts the pressure on Barcelona to turn Madrid’s slip into a decisive swing. Barça’s next three league fixtures listed on the club site are Getafe away on April 25, Osasuna away on May 2, and Real Madrid at home on May 10. (fcbarcelona.com) Betis had already beaten Girona 3-2 earlier in the week, and Friday’s point against Madrid kept Manuel Pellegrini’s side in fifth place ahead of Getafe and Celta. The same draw that hurt Madrid also strengthened Betis’ push for Europe. (laliga.com 1) (laliga.com 2) For Madrid, the opening was there after Vinícius scored his 125th club goal. By full time, Bellerín’s finish had turned it into another night where the gap at the top got wider, not smaller. (espn.com)
