Leaders Real Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Saturday as Aitor Ruibal’s sensible strike cancelled out Jude Bellingham‘s league-best twelfth purpose of the season. Bellingham slotted Madrid forward on the Benito Villamarin early within the second half after combining magnificently with Brahim Diaz. But Ruibal drilled an angled shot into the highest nook from exterior the realm to earn Betis a degree and lengthen their unbeaten run in La Liga to 11 matches.

“It was a good game, competitive and even, the result is a fair one,” stated Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “I’m satisfied because you’re not always going to be able to win every game.”

Madrid pulled one level away from Girona however may lose prime spot on Sunday if the shock challengers beat neighbours Barcelona in a Catalan derby. The guests thought they’d taken the lead when Diaz turned in from shut vary on 16 minutes after an outstanding alternate between Bellingham and Rodrygo.

Bellingham backheeled the ball in direction of Rodrygo who slid the ball between the legs of a defender. An tried clearance ricocheted off Rodrygo and left Diaz with a tap-in, however the Brazilian was offside within the build-up. Chasing a fifth successive residence league win, Betis twice went shut as Ayoze Perez noticed an try effectively saved by Andriy Lunin earlier than Willian Jose bent an effort narrowly large of the far submit.

Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva clawed behind a long-range drive from Luka Modric, however he was powerless to cease Bellingham breaking the impasse eight minutes after half-time.

The England midfielder retrieved the ball deep in Betis territory close to the touchline, discovering Diaz and chesting down the scooped return go as he strode into the field and stroked previous Silva.

Madrid’s lead lasted solely 13 minutes as Ruibal was afforded far an excessive amount of time and area earlier than he rifled residence from 20 metres, grabbing his first league purpose in a two-and-a-half years. Both groups pushed for a winner and former Madrid attacker Isco almost undid his outdated membership when he headed towards the submit.

Joselu dribbled an effort agonisingly large in stoppage time on the different finish earlier than Lunin tipped over centre-back Chadi Riad’s header with the final contact of the sport. “Nobody can say it’s a bad point against Real Madrid, but I think we deserved the three points,” stated Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Las Palmas continued their promising run on their return to the highest flight, profitable 1-0 at Alaves courtesy of Kirian Rodriguez’s purpose that moved them again as much as eighth place.

Barca may trim the hole to Madrid to 2 factors in the event that they beat Girona on Sunday, whereas Atletico Madrid will try to bounce again from final weekend’s defeat at Montjuic once they play backside membership Almeria.