Real Betis 2 (Molina 9, Montero 54) Real Madrid 3 (Higuaín 21, Ronaldo 51, 72)
Real Madrid were given a fright but eventually saw off Real Betis 3-2 at a rocking Estadio Benito Villamarín on Saturday night.
Jorge Molina and Gonzalo Higuaín swapped early goals and the teams went to the break 1-1. The second period began similarly with Cristiano Ronaldo putting Madrid ahead and Jefferson Montero quickly replying for Betis. Ronaldo settled the game with a clinical finish and sent José Mourinho’s side 13 points clear of Barcelona at the head of the Primera División.
The game kicked off with 50,000 Betis fans roaring their side on and the noise got even louder on nine minutes. Verdiblanco left-back Nacho played the ball forward to Rubén Castro, who laid it off for burly targetman Molina to smash past Iker Casillas from 15 yards. The Madrid keeper claimed handball against Castro, but the goal stood.
The fast pace continued and Madrid were soon level with a rapier break. Mesut Özil’s precise first-time pass broke the Betis offside trap and Higuaín ran clear to fire powerfully past Fabricio from inside the area.
As the play flowed back and forth Brazilians Iriney and Kaká were booked for cynical fouls to halt dangerous counters. Salva Sevilla then rattled the Madrid crossbar with a 25 yard free-kick. Madrid broke immediately and Higuaín shot wide when well placed. The Betis offside trap malfunctioned again, but Fabricio was quick from his line to block Ronaldo’s shot.
The pace was too much for referee Iturralde González and the second half began with fourth official Sagués Oscoz in charge. The drama continued with Madrid hitting the front when Kaká sent Marcelo motoring down the left to cross for Ronaldo to volley expertly to the net.
Betis were back level when Özil fouled Nacho near the corner flag and the resulting free kick was poorly dealt with by Álvaro Arbeloa, allowing Ecuadorian winger Montero to arrow an equaliser from ten yards.
With Madrid’s Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira unable to gain control in midfield, the game ebbed and flowed. Casillas pulled off a fine double save to deny Montero and Castro moments before Fabricio went full length to save from Marcelo. The pace refused to let up and Betis claimed a penalty for an Alonso handball. Sagués Oscoz said no.
Madrid came again and were back in front when Ronaldo rammed in the rebound after Fabricio had saved a Ramos header from a corner. Mourinho had been planning to introduce Karim Benzema, but instead immediately withdrew Kaká for the steadier Esteban Granero.
Betis continued to pile forward and their players wanted a penalty when Ramos seemed to handle an injury time Montero shot, but Madrid held on for three more points in their inevitable looking march to the title.
