The Real Madrid defeated Betis at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium before the international break. Coach Ancelotti‘s team sealed the game with a great performance in the second half. Mbappé was the standout, scoring two goals and receiving a standing ovation when substituted for Modrić. The first goal came from a first-time finish, taking advantage of a beautiful back-heeled assist from Valverde. The second was a penalty converted after Vini Jr. was brought down in the box.
The first half ended without goals, although Ancelotti‘s team created good chances to score. Still, the first big opportunity was for Betis, with a cross from Perraud and a header from Abde that went just wide ten minutes in. Real Madrid responded with two chances: first, at the 20-minute mark, with a corner taken by Rodrygo that Militão headed, forcing Rui Silva to make a great save. Four minutes later, a shot from Valverde deflected off Natan and almost deceived the goalkeeper, but the ball ended up in Rui Silva’s hands.
Vini Jr. hits the post
Our team increased the tempo in the second half, in which they have already scored, so far, eight of the nine official goals this season. They almost added to that tally at the 50-minute mark. Valverde launched a quick counter-attack, which ended with Vini Jr. shooting from the edge of the area. The ball deflected off Llorente and hit the post. A minute later, the Bernabéu called for a penalty on a similar play, where Vini Jr. crossed the ball and it touched Llorente’s hand, which was away from his body, although referee Alberola Rojas indicated that the hand was behind the body.
Mbappé’s double
The game was completely tilted in favor of Betis, as became clear at the 56-minute mark, when Rodrygo, in a difficult position, shot hard from inside the box, and Rui Silva saved with his fists. A minute later, another controversial play: Alberola Rojas did not call a penalty for a clear foul by Sabaly on Ceballos, where the defender did not touch the ball. The deserved goal came at the 67th minute. It was a beautifully executed goal. Rodrygo passed to Valverde, who gave a back-heeled assist at the edge of the area for Mbappé, who finished with his left foot, first-time.
Our team sealed the victory at the 75th minute. Brahim made a great pass between the lines for Vini Jr., who dribbled past Rui Silva and was brought down by the goalkeeper. Alberola Rojas initially called offside, but after being alerted by VAR and reviewing the play on the monitor, he awarded the penalty. Mbappé converted and scored his first double as a Madrid player. And at the 89th minute, the third goal almost came, but the visiting goalkeeper was more efficient than Endrick in the one-on-one, after another excellent pass from Brahim. The second victory for Real Madrid at the Bernabéu in two games, and Ancelotti‘s team has now gone 36 matches unbeaten in LaLiga.