After scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in Tuesday’s win over Alavés, Vinícius Júnior required less than 20 minutes to break the deadlock at Betis’ temporary La Cartuja home.
The Brazil international had the simple task of stroking an inviting rebound after Álvaro Valles had parried Federico Valverde’s driven strike from distance. The hosts were left dazed by Vinícius’ 13th league goal of the season and barely laid a glove on their opponents.
That was the case, at least, until they suddenly burst into life during the dying embers of the first period. Deputising for the injured Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin was required to make three crucial interventions in quick succession, including two fine stops to thwart Antony.
After being reminded of the precarious nature of their lead, Real Madrid briefly thought they had established a two-goal cushion when Kylian Mbappé volleyed home from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s clipped cross.
However, the assistant’s raised flag and the video technology confirmed Mbappé had taken up an offside position, denying him a goal on his 100th competitive appearance for Los Blancos.
With Real Madrid still in touching distance, Manuel Pellegrini’s men threatened to level the contest through half-time substitute Cucho Hernández, whose half-volley required a fingertip from the alert Lunin.
The Ukrainian’s opposite number, Valles, was then forced into action to keep Mbappé and Valverde at bay and his team in the hunt for a point
Those stops grew in importance when Héctor Bellerín netted a dramatic equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The former Arsenal man pounced on a loose ball in the box, guiding a composed finish in at the near post to extend Real Madrid’s wait for a LaLiga clean sheet to 10 matches.
Bellerín’s second goal of the season puts fifth-placed Betis six points clear of the chasing pack, while Barcelona now have the chance to stretch their lead over Los Blancos to 11 points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
See all the stats from the match here
