Despite a new goal from their providential man Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid was hung (1-1) on the lawn of Betis Sevilla on Saturday during the 16th day of La Liga, but remains leader of the Spanish championship.
This draw, which ends a series of five consecutive victories in all competitions for the Madrilenians, gives Girona (2nd, 38 points) the opportunity to return to the lead in the event of success in the Catalan derby against FC Barcelona on Sunday ( 9 p.m.).
Betis extends its invincibility this season at home in its Benito Villamarin stadium and remains sixth, putting pressure on Real Sociedad, fifth with the same number of points (26).
Still deprived of Vinicius (thigh), Tchouaméni (foot), Camavinga (knee), and now Carvajal (calf), Real thought they could secure another victory by the smallest of margins thanks to their English prodigy Jude Bellingham. The 20-year-old Golden Boy, active in the first half without being dangerous, only needed one opportunity to open the scoring with the flat of his right foot after a superb spiked ball from Brahim Diaz (53rd, 1- 0). The 12th goal in 14 La Liga matches for the British midfielder, more than ever the “pichichi”, top scorer in the championship.
But this 16th achievement in all competitions for Bellingham was not enough this time for the Madrilenians to win, after a balanced first half where each team had its opportunities. Supported by their public who refused to see their team give up, the Andalusians equalized with a clear shot into the top corner from Aitor Ruibal (66th, 1-1), rewarding their efforts.
Spanish playmaker Isco, 31, even almost punished his former club, where he played between 2013 and 2022, but his diving header found Lunin’s post (90th). The Ukrainian goalkeeper, who replaced Kepa, still injured, diverted another attempt from Riad’s head to preserve the point of the draw (97th).
Earlier in the afternoon, Las Palmas (8th, 24 points) moved closer to Europe by winning against promoted Alavés (13th, 16 points). This 16th day continues at 6:30 p.m. with the clash between Villarreal and Real Sociedad, then at 9 p.m. with the trip of Sevilla FC to Mallorca.