- Real Betis hosted Real Madrid at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in a La Liga match-up on Sunday
- Madrid headed into the match after a Copa del Rey loss to Barcelona last Thursday
- Carlo Ancelotti’s side failed to score once again ending the match in a goalless draw
Real Madrid failed to score yet again, further hurting their chances of winning La Liga after a scoreless stalemate at Real Betis.
Following Barcelona’s close 1-0 home victory over Valencia earlier on Sunday, the defending champions were aware that there was little room for mistake at Estadio Benito Villamarin.
But after failing to make a shot on goal in their 1-0 Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg defeat to Barcelona, Madrid once more struggled to find its offensive rhythm.
Although VAR overturned Karim Benzema’s first-half goal, Carlo Ancelotti’s team otherwise played conservatively as they could only cut the margin between themselves and league-leading Barcelona to nine points.
Early on, Benzema believed he had given Madrid the lead with an excellent free-kick, but a VAR review determined it was off because the ball had touched Antonio Rudiger’s arm in the wall.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema failed to score once again as Real Madrid fell to a goalless draw with Real Betis on Sunday, March 5 2023. | PHOTO: beIN SPORTS |
Prior to halftime, the visitors were unable to get a shot on goal, but Thibaut Courtois faced two tests from Betis, with Ayoze Perez forcing the Madrid keeper to make a fine save on both occasions.
Early in the second period, Claudio Bravo eventually had to make a save when he turned away Karim Benzema’s initial attempt from close to the penalty spot.
Borja Iglesias had plenty of time to set up and get a shot off in the area, but a strong save by Thibaut Courtois prevented Betis from taking the lead.
As Madrid, who began with Lucas Vazquez and Eduardo Camavinga at full-back, continued to struggle, Rodrygo and Dani Ceballos both missed the target from good positions.
In a tense finish, Bravo held steady in the Betis goal to ensure that the points were shared in Andalusia.
Real Madrid held once again
Even though Madrid tested the opposing goalkeeper much more frequently on Sunday than they did in their defeat to Barcelona, it is undeniable that they have recently lost their killer instinct.
This is the first occasion at Benito Villamarin, but Madrid has played out a scoreless draw with Betis six times overall this century – more than any other team.
Los Blancos still have to journey to Barcelona in two weeks, but after two straight league draws, their chances of surpassing their formidable rivals at the summit now seem incredibly slim.
Benzema fires another blank
On the eve of this game, Ancelotti defended Benzema’s performance, but the former France international has now gone three games without scoring in all categories.
In another lacklustre performance, Benzema was somewhat unlucky to have a goal disallowed but was unable to convert any of his three efforts.
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