Sevilla (AP) — On Saturday, Real Madrid faced a 2-1 defeat against Real Betis, which complicated their aspirations to secure the La Liga title. The match began brightly for Madrid as Brahim Daz found the back of the net just ten minutes in, converting Ferland Mendys diagonal pass to score from the heart of the area. Fans might have expected this early lead to set the tone for the match, but clouds gathered overhead — both literally and figuratively — as rain accompanied Betis's spirited response...
By the 34th minute, Johnny Cardoso had brought the hosts level with a powerful header from Isco Alarcn's corner, catching the Madrid defense off guard. The equalizer punctured the early momentum Madrid had built, as they began to lose control amid increasing pressure from the home side.
Things worsened for Madrid after halftime when, just nine minutes in, Antonio Rdiger fouled Jesus Rodriguez inside the penalty area. Isco, the former Madrid player, stepped up to convert the spot-kick, giving Betis the lead at 54 minutes and sending the crowd at the Estadio Benito Villamar3n wild.
The defeat for Madrid leaves them with 54 points, potentially opening the door for both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona to widen the gap at the top of the La Liga standings. Currently sitting second, Madrid is on shaky ground as they approach the busy end of the season.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti reflected on the performance with disappointment, stating, "We need to react, hope this serves to wake us up, because if we play like this, we certainly won't win on Tuesday." This comment follows a history of inconsistent performances, as Los Blancos have only managed one victory from their last five league outings. Ancelotti went on to lament the high number of turnovers, particularly noting they lost 27 balls just within the first half.
Meanwhile, for Betis, coach Manuel Pellegrini expressed satisfaction with the resurgence of his team, vindicating their strategy on home ground. The victory brings Betis to the sixth position with 38 points, solidifying their bid for European competition spots.
Isco, reflecting on the win, remarked, "I am happy with the victory, even though we allowed them too much play. We came disconnected at the start, permitting them too much room to do damage." Talking about his penalty goal, he graciously acknowledged his time at Madrid with the words: "Always grateful to Madrid for fulfilling all the dreams of a child. Always with Madrid in my heart."
The narrative shifted dramatically after Madrid’s quick start. After taking the lead, they seemed to struggle to find their rhythm, outdone by the intensity of Betis's play — a stark reminder for the defending champions of the vitality they must match if they wish to compete for titles.
This loss serves as a reality check for Madrid, who now turn their focus onto their upcoming clash against Atlético Madrid, which is set to be pivotal as both teams battle for supremacy on the European stage.
With Barcelona poised to extend their lead even more on Sunday against Real Sociedad, the pressure on Madrid mounts. Failure to secure points consistently may see them drop down the rankings, as the table remains competitive and unpredictable.