Real Madrid´s already slim hopes of winning La Liga were dealt another blow when Real Betis scored a stoppage-time equalizer in a pulsating 1-1 result on Friday.
Madrid was left trailing league leader Barcelona by eight points with only five games to play. Barcelona has a game in hand at Getafe on Saturday, meaning they can go 11 points clear with a victory.
The match started well for visiting Madrid as Vinicius Junior scored for the second time in four days. Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles could only parry Federico Valverde´s long range shot and the Brazilian striker followed up to slot in the rebound.
Betis, though, was not overawed and Andriy Lunin, in goal for the injured Thibaut Courtois, made two world-class saves to keep his side in the game.
Real Madrid’s LaLiga title hopes were dealt a severe blow after they were held by Real Betis
Former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin scored in injury time to deny Madrid three points
At the other end, Kylian Mbappé had a goal chalked off for offside, annulling a superb assist from former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But Manuel Pellegrini’s side kept pushing for an equalizer and it came in the dying seconds.
Ferland Mendy went down and appealed for a foul but the referee waved play on and former Arsenal defender Héctor Bellerín calmly side-footed home inside a packed penalty area to the delight of the 54,000 fans at Betis´ Estadio La Cartuja.
The result meant Madrid has failed to win five of its last six games in all competitions.
Betis, meanwhile, was in fifth place, six points ahead of Getafe and seven behind Atletico Madrid.
