The stage was set for an exhilarating encounter as Real Betis hosted Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on March 1, 2025. Fans from both sides eagerly anticipated the match, knowing the stakes were high for both teams—Betis, seeking to maintain their push for European qualification, and Madrid, aiming for the top of La Liga.
The match kick-started at 18:30 local time, under the watchful eyes of referee Hernández Hernández, with Betis fielding their strongest eleven. Following their victory over Getafe the week prior, Betis aimed to continue their winning streak. Manager Manuel Pellegrini retained most of the squad, hoping to leverage their recent form against the historical giants of Madrid.
Real Betis's formation saw Adrián San Miguel guarding the net with defensive stalwarts Sabaly, Bartra, Llorente, and Ricardo Rodríguez shielding him. The midfield was anchored by Johnny Cardoso and Sergi Altimira, with Antony, Isco Alarcón, and Jesús Rodríguez supporting Cucho Hernández up front. The team lacked several key players due to injuries, including Ez Abde and Gio Lo Celso, which made this match even more significant as they pushed for all three points.
Conversely, Real Madrid arrived seeking to maintain pressure on rivals Barcelona and Atlético as they vied for the La Liga title. Ancelotti introduced Thibaut Courtois back to the lineup after injury, alongside Vázquez, Rüdiger, Alaba, and Mendy making up the defense. The midfield consisted of Modric and Tchouameni, with Brahim Díaz, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr., and Kylian Mbappé forming a menacing front line. Notably absent were Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham, with the latter serving the last match of his suspension.
The opening minutes saw Madrid control possession with deft passing, and it wasn’t long before they struck first. Brahim Díaz capitalized on a remarkable assist from Mbappé after eight minutes, putting Real Madrid up 1-0 and sending shockwaves through the home supporters.
While it appeared Madrid would dominate, Betis quickly began to recover. Their response was heralded by Isco, who demonstrated exceptional creativity throughout the match. A turning point came just before halftime when Johnny Cardoso headed the ball home from Isco's corner, equalizing the score at 1-1. The home crowd erupted with joy as they sensed the momentum shifting.
At halftime, the score read 1-1, and both teams entered the break to reassess their strategies. Pellegrini's insistence on maintaining high pressure began to pay off, as the second half saw Betis controlling the rhythm. Just minutes after the restart, Betis was awarded a penalty when Jesús was brought down by Rüdiger, leading to tensions rising among the players and fans alike. Isco stepped up to take the penalty, expertly converting it to put Betis ahead 2-1.
From then on, the match shifted dramatically. Madrid struggled to find clarity, with Vinicius the only player finding room to create but lacking support. This opening allowed Betis to gain confidence and systematically dismantle Madrid’s plays as they looked to hold onto their lead.
The closing stages were characterized by desperate attempts from Madrid to reestablish their rhythm and find the equalizer, but Adrián San Miguel denied them at every turn. The young goalkeeper was pivotal, making several key saves as Madrid launched attack after attack, yet they appeared increasingly frustrated.
Despite multiple opportunities to score, including close calls from Vinicius and Rodrygo, Madrid's efforts met only with the intervention of Betis defenders or the woodwork. The match officially closed with Real Betis walking away with all three points, leaving Madrid to reconsider their tactics as they left the pitch.
At the conclusion of this thrilling match, Betis secured their place firmly within the top half of the table, demonstrating resilience and tactical acumen against one of Spain's elite. The emphasis will now turn to how both teams will approach their upcoming fixtures, with Betis strengthening their bid for European spots and Madrid needing to regroup to regain their footing at the top of La Liga.