Former Barcelona star Hector Bellerin’s injury-time goal for Betis kept Real Madrid from losing the La Liga title race.
Published on 24 April 2026
Former Barcelona defender Hector Bellerin gave his former team the lead in the Spanish title race by snatching the final point for Real Betis in a 1-1 La Liga draw against Real Madrid.
It looked as if Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid would reduce Barca’s lead on Friday, but the Catalans temporarily moved eight points ahead of Madrid after Bellerin canceled out Vinicius Junior’s opener.
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Hansi Flick’s defending champions, missing injured teenage winger Lamine Yamal, visit Getafe on Saturday and now have a chance to move 11 points clear of Los Blancos with a win.
Vinicius’s 17th-minute strike looked like it would give his side the win and boost their slim chances of overtaking the leaders and finishing the season with the trophy.
However, Madrid were rocked in stoppage time as Bellerin finally provided the breakthrough his team’s performance deserved.
Fifth-placed hosts Betis had a penalty appeal against Brahim Diaz wasted early on when the Madrid midfielder appeared to touch the ball with his hand in his own box as he tried to control it.
A few minutes later, the visitors took the lead when Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Vallés could only push Federico Valverde’s drive back into the path of Vinicius and the Brazilian headed home.
England international Jude Bellingham almost doubled Madrid’s lead, but his superb effort was saved by Wallace.
Betis took control of the game and Madrid thanked their goalkeeper Andrey Lunin, who was replacing the injured Thibaut Courtois, for bringing them ahead at half-time.
Lunin headed Antony’s low strike around the post and then denied the Brazilian winger again, thwarting Cedric Bakambu as he raced towards goal.
Alvaro Fidalgo also had a narrow save as Betis pushed Madrid back, despite finding no way through.
On an otherwise quiet night for the league’s top goalscorer, Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe polished off Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross early in the second half, but his goal was ruled offside.
Lunin was soon the hero again for Madrid as he palmed away Cucho Hernandez’s powerful effort and defender Dean Huijsen made a fine save from Antony.
The former Manchester United winger was Betis’ biggest threat, and he hit the deck in the area at the end, saying he was blocked by Ferland Mendy’s arm, although no penalty was awarded.
Madrid forward Mbappe appeared to demand a substitution with 10 minutes remaining, raising concerns over a possible injury to the French striker ahead of the World Cup.
Betis snatched a point soon after the death, with Bellerin being in the right place at the right time to head home a loose ball in the area after intercepting a cross by Antonio Rudiger.
