Real Madrid Held to 1-1 Draw by Real Betis in La Liga

Real Betis and Real Madrid played to a 1-1 draw in a La Liga match on April 24, 2026, with Hector Bellerin scoring the equalizing goal for Betis late in the game. Vinicius Junior had opened the scoring for Madrid. The result leaves Barcelona provisionally eight points ahead of Real Madrid in the La Liga standings.

Barcelona, the defending champions, is scheduled to visit Getafe on Saturday. A victory there would move them 11 points clear of Real Madrid. Barcelona is currently without injured teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

Early in the match, Real Betis appealed for a penalty against Brahim Diaz after he appeared to touch the ball with his hand in his own box. Federico Valverde took a drive shot that Alvaro Valles pushed back into Vinicius Junior's path, allowing the Brazilian to sweep home the opener. Jude Bellingham had a fierce effort tipped over by Valles.

Andriy Lunin played in goal for Real Madrid in place of the injured Thibaut Courtois. Lunin pushed Antony's low strike around the post and denied the Brazilian winger again after thwarting Cedric Bakambu, who ran through on goal. Alvaro Fidalgo lashed a shot narrowly over the goal.

Kylian Mbappe, the league's top goalscorer, had a goal disallowed for offside early in the second half from Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross. Lunin pushed Cucho Hernandez's powerful effort over the goal. Dean Huijsen blocked a shot from Antony.

Antony hit the deck in the area, claiming a block by Ferland Mendy's arm, but no penalty was awarded. Mbappe appeared to ask for a substitution with 10 minutes remaining. Bellerin, a former Barcelona defender, scored by smashing home a loose ball in the area after Antonio Rudiger blocked a cross.

Real Betis sits in fifth place in La Liga.