Los Blancos' title hopes suffer blow with Betis defeat

Real Madrid started the game in 2nd place after Barcelona returned to the summit with a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad yesterday.

Los Blancos knew that a win would take them top again, and they were expected to win, especially after their 2-0 win over Barcelona last week.

Betis had already been narrowly beaten at home to Barcelona earlier in February, and they got the first chance of the match when Lorén fired over. Vinicius then came close 10 minutes later when he shot into the side netting.

Bartra missed a golden opportunity just before the half-hour make when he headed over from 5 yards out, with just Courtois to beat. Moments later, the Belgian saved well from Fekir. Betis were rewarded for their efforts when they took the lead 5 minutes before half time.

The ball came to Sidnei inside the box and he fired past Courtois from a tight angle. Courtois will be disappointed though as he conceded at his front post. Just when it looked like Betis would go in at the break in front, Madrid were awarded a penalty.

Sidnei clumsily swiped Marcelo when he tried to clear the ball, and the referee had no doubt in pointing to the spot. Benzema then stepped up and sent to the keeper the wrong way to get his first league goal since December.

10 minutes into the second half, Joaquín missed a sitter when he managed to round Courtois. He just had to pass it into the empty net, but it looked like he tried to pass to his teammate and the ball was cleared. He was almost made to pay for his error when Mendy hit the bar with 20 minutes to go.

Both teams had some shots off target until Betis scored the winner in the 82nd minute. Tello was played through and the ex-Barca man kept his cool inside the box to slot past Courtois and send the Betis fans wild. Madrid then had a flurry of late chances but it wasn't to be and Betis move up to 12th, Madrid stay 2 points behind Barca.