Real Madrid were left frustrated in Seville as a stoppage-time equaliser from Real Betis cancelled out an early strike by Vinícius Júnior, forcing Arbeloa’s side to settle for a 1-1 draw in a match they had largely controlled.
The visitors made a sharp start and needed less than twenty minutes to break the deadlock. Vinícius reacted quickest after Álvaro Valles parried Federico Valverde’s long-range effort, calmly slotting home his 13th league goal of the season to give Madrid a deserved lead. At that stage, Betis struggled to impose themselves, with Madrid dictating tempo and territory.
However, the hosts showed signs of life just before the interval. Stand-in goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, filling in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, was called into action with a series of crucial saves, including two sharp stops to deny Antony and preserve Madrid’s advantage heading into the break.
Madrid thought they had doubled their lead midway through the second half when Kylian Mbappé volleyed home from a precise delivery by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Celebrations were short-lived, as the assistant referee’s flag was quickly raised, with VAR confirming the Frenchman had strayed offside, denying him a landmark goal on his 100th appearance for the club.
The missed opportunity proved costly. Betis grew into the game and began to threaten, with Cucho Hernández going close before Valles kept his side in contention with important saves at the other end. As the match entered stoppage time, Madrid looked set to secure all three points, but a defensive lapse would undo their efforts.
In the fourth minute of added time, Héctor Bellerín capitalised on a loose ball inside the area, guiding a composed finish past Lunin at the near post to snatch a dramatic equaliser. The goal extended Madrid’s run without a clean sheet in LaLiga and dealt a significant blow to their pursuit of the title.
The result leaves Real Madrid still trailing league leaders Barcelona, who now have the opportunity to further extend their advantage, while Betis strengthen their hold on fifth place with a hard-earned point.
