Bellerin's 94th-minute equaliser at La Cartuja leaves Real Madrid eight points back with five to play
Real Madrid have spent four games not winning in La Liga, and they are starting to run out of road. The 1-1 draw at La Cartuja on Friday night was the kind of result that does not finish a title race on its own, but it leaves the maths uncomfortable. Eight points behind Barcelona with five fixtures to go. Goal difference still in Barcelona's favour. The next two months are about pride and Champions League prep more than the league trophy.
Vinicius Junior had given them every reason to think otherwise. In the 17th minute, Federico Valverde fizzed in a long-range strike, Alvaro Valles parried, and the Brazilian had the simplest of finishes on the rebound. It was his 13th league goal of the season. For an hour after that Madrid managed the game well enough, without ever properly putting it to bed.
The kind of goal Madrid have been losing points on
Stoppage time, fourth minute of it, ball in the box, bodies everywhere. Antony, back from suspension, picked his pass and Hector Bellerin side-footed home from the centre of the area. Bellerin used to play at the Bernabeu's biggest rivals; this is his third season at Betis. The goal will not feel any cleaner to Alvaro Arbeloa for that.
Arbeloa was animated afterwards, calling a possible foul on Ferland Mendy in the build-up "very clear" and saying his side had "a serious problem" with refereeing decisions this season. The complaint may even be valid. It does not change the points total. Three of Real Madrid's last five league games have ended in dropped points, and the pattern in two of them has been the same: lead, fail to extend, concede late.
What Madrid actually need now
The arithmetic is simple. Barcelona have 82 points from 32, Real Madrid have 74 from 33. Eight points and a head-to-head in Barcelona's favour means Madrid need Hansi Flick's side to drop nine points across their last six fixtures while winning every one of their own. Barcelona play Osasuna, Real Madrid and Alavés in their next three.
Arbeloa is in his first months in the job. The chances of him being there next season have, depending on which Madrid reporter you read, ranged from "near certain" to "depends entirely on the Champions League". His side are out of Europe already. The window for him to make the league interesting again has effectively closed at La Cartuja.
Betis quietly comfortable in fifth
Forget the title race for a second. This was a strong night for Betis. They sit fifth on 50 points and they took a point off the league's second-best side at La Cartuja. Manuel Pellegrini's side kept their shape, conceded one and waited. Their reward came in the 94th minute and the dugout knew exactly how big it was.
The away end emptied quickly. Vinicius walked off without celebrating his earlier goal, which is its own kind of statement. Five games left, eight to make up, no realistic path. The league is Barcelona's to lose, and they are not losing it.
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