K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Lucas Vázquez.
Tello gave the ball away with a slack pass, but Benzema's first-time pass to Vazquez was sublime, and the winger was sure to return the favour with a great cross.
Make that seven goals in eight games for Benzema! Sloppy play from Betis allows the Frenchman to swiftly turn the ball into Vazquez, who drives forward before sliding the ball back to the former Lyon man, who makes no mistake with a fantastic first-time finish.
90' +1
There will be a minimum of three minutes added on to the end of this one.
89'
K. Benzema enters the game and replaces Cristiano Ronaldo.
Another substitution from Zidane. Cristiano Ronaldo, whose goal could well be the winner for Madrid, makes way for Karim Benzema, who has netted six goals in his last seven league games against Betis.
88'
A free-kick now for Betis, who since the changes have retaken the initiative in this one. Carvajal caught Tello, and Joaquin stands over it, 25 yards out… but his effort sails over.
85'
Sergio León has scored a goal for Real Betis! Assist by J. Firpo.
BETIS PULL ONE BACK! It’s game on again! Amazing scenes in Seville, as Firpo delivers a wonderful cross from the left that Leon - only just on as a substitute - tucks home at the back post.
Betis' left-back has had a superb game and, though his earlier effort will go down as a Nacho own-goal, he will at least come away with an assist.
82'
A third and final change for the hosts, with former Barcelona winger Cristian Tello replacing Ryad Boudebouz.
Sergio Leon is on now, in place of Andres Guardado. The Betis striker is immediately involved, as he draws a clumsy tackle from Hernandez, who is lucky not to get booked.
81'
Sergio León enters the game and replaces A. Guardado.
Cristian Tello enters the game and replaces R. Boudebouz.
Casemiro gets yellow.
Casemiro picks up a booking.
80'
Madrid flood forward on the counter, but Isco - despite having plenty of time to pick out Asensio in acres of space - instead elects to try and rush towards goal himself, and Betis recover.
79'
With Garcia’s introduction, Betis have been able to command a bit more authority on the ball. However, a lapse in concentration from Boudebouz sees Madrid regain the ball and quickly break. Ronaldo is soon in behind having latched onto a long ball, but the linesman flags for offside, much to the Madrid man’s chagrin.
75'
Javi García enters the game and replaces J. Amat.
Finally, Quique Setien makes his first change. Jordi Amat goes off, with Javi Garcia on, which seems to indicate Betis will switch to a back four.
Minute
Description
74'
While Betis still wait to use their available changes, Zidane has now made his first alteration. Off comes Gareth Bale, with Isco his replacement.
73'
Isco enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
CLOSE! Joaquin tries his luck with a looping strike from within his own half. Navas has to scamper back towards his goal, but avoids embarrassment as the ball drops onto the roof of the net.
72'
World-class play from Asensio and Ronaldo, as they combine on the break to get down the right, with the latter eventually chipping in an excellent cross. Bale is waiting at the back post, but Mandi does enough to put him off.
71'
STAT - Asensio's second goal was the 6000th Madrid strike in LaLiga. They are the first side in the league's history to reach that tally.
70'
There’s definitely still life in this Betis side, but Quique Setien has to start utilising the substitutes he has available. The home side are seeing much more of the ball now, but every time Madrid have it, they look deadly.
68'
Incredible goalkeeping from Navas, who leaps across his line to somehow clutch onto Ruiz’s curling effort that looked set to clatter in off the upright.
65'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Casemiro.
It was a brilliant pass from Casimiro, who lofted it delicately into Ronaldo's feet, and Madrid's lethal front man made no mistake.
RONALDO!! That may well be game over for Betis, as - after he was picked out by Casemiro's perfect pass - Ronaldo sets himself with an exquisite first touch before thumping a venomous effort across Adan.
64'
Betis’ coach must now earn his crust and make some changes. His side put in an accomplished display in the first half and were the better side, but Madrid have been in complete control since the start of the second period, and need some fresh blood in their set-up.
61'
Loren Morón gets yellow.
Brave goalkeeping from Navas, who bursts off his line to beat Loren to a loose ball down the left flank. Madrid’s goalkeeper is clipped by Betis’ striker, but there is no need for the booking that the official gives to the youngster.
59'
Marco Asensio has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Dani Carvajal.
MADRID HAVE THEIR THIRD! What an incredible game this is! Scintilating play from Madrid, as Carvajal bombs down the right flank before squaring a cross to Asensio, who turns it home with a sublime first-time finish.
Betis have only got themselves to blame for that one. The hosts have been far too sloppy in possession from the restart, and Asensio - with help from Carvajal's precise cross - made sure to make them pay.
57'
G. Bale gets yellow.
That is outstanding from Adan! Minutes after he denied Bale at the left-hand post, Betis’ goalkeeper goes up against the former Tottenham forward once more, and again coming out on top. Despite Adan clearly making a save, however, the referee awards a goal-kick, showing Bale a yellow card when the Wales star complains about the decision.
56'
SAVE! A great stop from Adan, now, who rushed out to close down Bale’s angle on goal after the Welshman got in behind Betis’ defence.
55'
Sergio Ramos gets yellow.
Kovacic, having just received a booking, is perhaps lucky to get away with a foul on Loren Moron, and the official allows play on. Ronaldo sees a shot blocked before Betis break, and this time a Madrid player is cautioned, after Ramos lunged in on the hosts’ forward.
53'
Madrid have taken the initiative since the restart, with Betis unable to get on the ball. Indeed, Ruiz - such a positive attacking influence for the hosts before the interval - reduced to making snappy fouls in the middle of the park.
50'
Sergio Ramos has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Lucas Vázquez.
It was a great corner from Vazquez, but Ramos must get the credit, while Betis' defence were again found lacking.
WHAT A HEADER FROM RAMOS! That is brilliant from Madrid’s captain, who rises high above Amat to power a brilliant header goalwards that Adan can only tip onto the bar and in.
Indeed, Asensio puts in a decent cross, from which Guadardo had played Madrid’s attackers onside, but Betis’ defence manage to clear it for a corner.
49'
J. Firpo gets yellow.
Another booking now - this time for Betis’ Firpo, who dived in late on Casemiro, giving Asensio the chance to deliver the free-kick.
48'
There have been no changes from either manager at the interval.
46'
M. Kovačić gets yellow.
We’re back up and running for the second half, and there has been an early booking for Kovacic, who lunged in high on Loren.
45' +1
There’ll be one minute of stoppage time at the end of what has been an enthralling first half.
44'
Barragán gets yellow.
The official isn’t, however, so lenient moments later, as he books Barragan for blatantly tripping Asensio.
43'
Vazquez is rather fortunate not to pick up a booking, there, after he shoved Bartra over the line and into the advertising hoardings. The referee is swiftly over to prevent the situation growing into anything further, but does not caution the Madrid winger.
42'
Hernandez plays a neat pass into Ronaldo who, with a sharp turn of pace and some neat skill, gets the better of his marker. He follows that up with a powerful strike, but Adan is well-placed to make the stop.
40'
Quique Setien has only lost two of his five managerial games against Madrid, avoiding defeat in his last three. And his Betis side have shocked the LaLiga champions so far tonight.
37'
Nacho is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!! BETIS ARE AHEAD! The Betis faithful are in raptures now, as the hosts net their second in the space of four minutes. Madrid’s defence fell apart as Joaquin picked up the ball 25 yards out before turning a pass into the path of Firpo. His shot was saved by Navas, but the deflection took it into Nacho, who could only skew the ball into the net.
36'
The ball is in the net, but the goal won’t count. Reckless play from Betis’ defence enabled Asensio to rob Bartra of the ball, teeing up Ronaldo, but the Portuguese star was offside.
35'
Madrid respond by winning a corner down the left, which Asensio then delivers. Ronaldo gets there, but his header is directed straight at Adan.
33'
A. Mandi has scored a goal for Real Betis! Assist by Joaquín.
BETIS ARE LEVEL! It’s third time lucky for Mandi, as he connects with an exquisite cross from Joaquin to thump home with a powerful header, giving Navas no chance. That’s no less than the hosts deserve!
Joaquin has been brilliant so far, and has now marked his performance with an assist. His initial cross from a free-kick was blocked, but Betis kept the move alive and, after racing to the line to keep the ball in play, the veteran had the composure to deliver a powerful, whipped delivery that Mandi was on hand to head in.
32'
Madrid are having to work extremely hard defensively here, with Betis in complete control of possession at the moment, with Ruiz and Boudebouz constantly picking up space in midfield.
30'
T. Hernández enters the game and replaces Marcelo.
It seemed a brave decision from Marcelo to try and carry on, and Zidane has prepared a change. Theo Hernandez is on in place of the stricken full-back.
28'
Well, that didn’t look good at first for Marcelo, who went down clutching his hamstring, but then recovers quickly. Betis are swiftly back on the attack, though, with Ruiz lofting in a cross that Mendi meets, but once again fails to find the target with his header.
27'
WHAT A SAVE! Superb from Navas, who leaps up to get a fingertip to a venomous free-kick from Joaquin that was destined for the top corner.
25'
CLOSE! What an effort from Loren who, after latching onto a clever pass from Boudebouz - now playing in a more advanced role off Betis’ striker - goes for goal from 25 yards out. Navas dives to his right, but can’t get there. Fortunately for Madrid, though, the ball flashes inches wide of the post.
24'
Terrific tracking back from Betis captain Joaquin, who gets over to support Firpo against Vazquez and Carvajal, regaining possession before winning a free-kick.
22'
CHANCE! That should have been the equaliser! Joaquin delivers an excellent in-swinging cross from a corner on the left, which Mandi rises to meet. Just at the last moment, though, he appears to turn away from the ball, and his glancing header spins wide.
20'
STAT - Madrid have only lost one of their last 19 LaLiga away games - a 2-1 defeat to Girona at in October 2017 - but they have drawn four of their last five. And Betis are certainly starting to test the visitors now, as Vazquez has to direct Firpo's low cross-cum-shot wide for a corner.
18'
Betis are attacking with confidence, and starting to build-up some promising moves. Moments after a clever pass from Boudebouz is intercepted by Carvajal, Firpo delivers a great cross from the left flank, but Loren can’t direct his effort on target.
15'
CLOSE! Betis respond well to going behind as, at the culmination of a patient move, Boudebouz tees up Joaquin for a strike, which takes a wicked deflection and loops just wide of the left-hand upright.
13'
The flaws in this Betis side are clear to see. They are clever going forward, but have only won two of their last seven LaLiga home games, failing to keep a clean sheet in all seven. And Asensio's opener means it is now eight without conceding.
11'
Marco Asensio has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOAL! MADRID TAKE THE LEAD! Well, he was handed a start after a superb display against PSG, and Asensio now has a goal to his name. Betis’ defence give Vazquez too much time to pick out Ronaldo, whose strike is well-saved by Adan. Asensio reacts quickly, though, and is on hand to head home into the bottom-left corner.
9'
Good work from Asensio down the left as the youngster utilises his terrific turn of pace to drive through Betis’ defence. He gets to the byline and cuts back a well-struck cross, but a little deflection takes it into the waiting arms of Adan.
7'
Betis are outnumbering Madrid in midfield, so the onus will be on Casemiro and Kovacic to retain possession and move the visitors forward through the separate thirds of the pitch. Modric is available on the bench, but Zidane has rested Kroos all together for this one.
5'
Dani Carvajal gets yellow.
Some panic in Betis’ defence results in Ronaldo latching onto a looping cross from the left. His header lacks any real power, but Bartra is forced into conceding a corner. Madrid make nothing of it, however, with Carvajal having to make a cynical foul to prevent Boudebouz leading a counter-attack.
4'
Brilliant hold-up play from Loren, who has enjoyed a fine breakthrough into Betis’ senior side in recent weeks. He does well to take the ball down and get away from Ramos before laying it off to the veteran Joaquin, who spreads the play with a great pass. Marcelo, however, gets across to dispossess Barragan.
3'
STAT - Madrid have won six of their last nine games at Benito Villamarin in LaLiga, and they have only failed to score in one of their last 17 visits to Betis.
1'
KICK-OFF! In front of a full house at Benito Villamarin, Betis - donning their famous green-and-white kit - get proceedings underway.
Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of tonight’s LaLiga action, as Real Betis play host to the mighty Real Madrid.
Betis beat Madrid in dramatic style at Santiago Bernabeu back in September, and the Andalusian club - still well in the hunt for a European place - are looking to win two games against Los Blancos in the same LaLiga season for the first time since 1998/99.
Madrid sit fourth, just two points ahead of the chasing pack. Their disappointing season is summed up by the fact they are - as it stands before this clash - 20 points shy of league leaders Barcelona, and 13 adrift of local rivals Atletico Madrid.
Team news…
Quique Setien has utilised a three-at-the-back system more often than not this term, and that doesn’t change tonight, as the Betis boss makes just one change to the side that beat Deportivo La Coruna last time out - Antonio Barragan replacing Francis Guerrero.
Real Betis substitutes: Garcia, Leon, Camarasa, Durmisi, Tello, Francis, Lopez.
Real Madrid substitutes: Varane, Benzema, Modric, Casilla, Hernandez, Isco, Ceballos.
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Nacho, Marcelo; Vazquez, Casemiro, Kovacic, Asensio; Bale, Ronaldo.
However, Zinedine Zidane’s side will have been buoyed by their 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 encounter on Wednesday, and a win at Benito Villamarin tonight would move them to within one point of third-placed Valencia.
Marco Asensio’s introduction against PSG proved vital on Wednesday, as the youngster claimed two assists to swing the tie in Madrid’s favour. He is rewarded for his efforts with a start tonight, in a much-changed line-up.
Gareth Bale also comes in, with Karim Benzema dropping to the bench. In midfield, Mateo Kovacic and Lucas Vazquez replace Toni Kroos and Isco respectively, while Luka Modric is the player to make way for Asensio. In defence, Dani Carvajal is back in place of Raphael Varane, who is joined on the bench by former Betis star Dani Ceballos.
The referee’s half-time whistle brings a magnificent opening period to an end. Betis lead, having come from behind following Asensio’s early opener.
Betis' defensive lapses proved costly when Asensio headed home early on but, after a glut of opportunities that the hosts failed to convert, Mandi was finally there to nod in the equaliser before, moments later, Firpo’s strike was turned in by Nacho.
It has set up a fascinating second-half in Seville, with Madrid in vital need of the points to consolidate their place in the top four. But the lead is no less than Betis deserve.
What a fascinating LaLiga encounter at Benito Villamarin, where an eight-goal thriller has gone Madrid’s way!
Betis were deservedly ahead at the interval, having overturned an early deficit inflicted by the superb Marco Asensio. However, Sergio Ramos set the tone for a spell-binding second half with a brilliant header to level proceedings.
Asensio’s second put Madrid back in front, before Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort looked to have wrapped up the points. Betis, inspired by some overdue substitutions, fought back through Sergio Leon, but it was Karim Benzema - just on from the bench - who would have the final say.
The victory lifts Madrid to within one point of Valencia, while Betis stay in ninth place.
That’s all from me for now. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
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