Sergio Ramos came to Real Madrid’s rescue once again, scoring another important late winner as Zinedine Zidane’s side went top of La Liga with a 2-1 win over Real Betis.
Barcelona’s defeat to Deportivo La Coruna earlier in the day meant Real Madrid would leapfrog them into top spot should they see off Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu. The visitors, however, proved to be stern opponents, with Real pushed all the way.
A howling mistake by Keylor Navas gave Real Betis the lead after 24 minutes, turning the ball into his own net after initially making a save. Cristiano Ronaldo restored parity before the break, though, heading home a Marcelo cross to make it 1-1.
Real Madrid found it difficult to build on that platform, with Real Betis going toe-to-toe with the hosts. But Ramos performed his party trick, heading home what proved to be the winner nine minutes from time to give his team a crucial win in the title race.
TALKING POINT - Should Real Madrid sign a replacement for Keylor Navas in the summer?
Not for the first time this season, Navas was the subject of whistles from the home fans inside the Santiago Bernabeu this evening following his blunder which handed Real Betis the opener. The Madrid press has speculated that David De Gea and Thibaut Courtois will be on Real Madrid’s radar this summer, but would the decision to replace Navas be the correct one? He made a crucial save right at the death to preserve the win, after all.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Sergio Ramos
Was it ever any doubt? Ramos has scored so many important goals for Real Madrid over the years and he did it again here, powering home a header to give his side the points they needed to go top of the table. What is it that draws the ball to the centre-back in the dying moments of crucial games? Whatever it is, it’s an extremely valuable quality to possess and has got Real Madrid out of a few sticky situations.
PLAYER RATINGS
Real Madrid - Navas 6, Carvajal 6, Nacho 6, Ramos 8, Marcelo 7, Kroos 5, Modric 6, James 5, Isco 7, Ronaldo 7, Morata 6. Subs - Vazquez 6, Benzema 5, Asensio 5.
Real Betis - Adan 6, Piccini 5, Durmisi 7, Pezzella 7, Tosca 5, Mandi 6, Pardo 5, Ceballos 7, Brasanac 5, Sanabria 7, Castro 6. Subs - Petros 5, Alegria 5.
KEY MOMENTS
25’ GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Real Betis: What an astonishing mistake by Navas! He looked to have made the straightforward save from Sanabria, but he somehow managed to throw it in his own net.
40’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Real Betis: Real Madrid finally make the breakthrough! Marcelo gets an excellent cross into the box and Ronaldo drifts away from his marker to head home from six yards out. The hosts are level!
76’ SENT OFF! That's a cynical foul! Vazquez was surging through on goal and Piccini has been shown a second yellow card.
82’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis: Can you believe it? He's done it again! Ramos has scored another huge late goal for Real Madrid, powering home a header from a corner kick. How massive might that goal prove to be?
93’ MASSIVE SAVE! Sanabria's header was creeping in at the back post but Navas dives full length to make the stop and preserve the win for Real Madrid. That makes up for his error! Wow!
KEY STATS
Toni Kroos has provided more assists from set-pieces than any other Liga player this season (seven).
Sergio Ramos has scored more headed goals than any other La Liga player this season in all competitions (eight).
No other defender has made more assists than Marcelo in Europe's top five leagues this season (level with Fernando Marçal).
Luka Modric make his 200th appearance in all competitions for Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo has drawn level with Alfredo Di Stefano as Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer at the Santiago Bernabeu (210 goals).
(Eurosport)
