Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes took another blow on Saturday after a 93rd-minute equaliser saw them held 1-1 by Real Betis at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla.
The result leaves Arbeloa’s side eight points behind leaders Barcelona with five games left. Barca can stretch the gap to 11 points with a win over Getafe on Saturday.
Vinicius Jr fired Real ahead in the 17th minute. Federico Valverde’s long-range drive was spilled by Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, and the Brazilian pounced to slot home from close range.
Madrid had chances to kill the game. Kylian Mbappe saw a goal ruled out for offside and blazed over the bar, while Vinicius and Jude Bellingham also missed opportunities to extend the lead.
Betis grew into the contest and were denied only by a string of fine Andriy Lunin saves. Their pressure told deep in stoppage time. Ferland Mendy lost possession in the box, the ball broke to Hector Bellerin, and the former Arsenal defender drove a low shot past Lunin to snatch a point.
The draw is Real’s fifth in La Liga this season, and costly slip-ups are defining their campaign. Already out of the Champions League, Madrid are now staring at a trophyless season — only their fifth of this century.
They had revived hope on Tuesday with a win over Alaves that briefly cut Barcelona’s lead to six points. But Barca responded against Celta Vigo the next night, and this latest setback has intensified pressure on Arbeloa.
Real face Espanyol next before travelling to Barcelona for the second El Clasico of the season. Beyond El Clasico, they need Hansi Flick’s side to drop points elsewhere to stand any chance.
[Adapted from BBC]
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