La Liga: Real Betis script famous smash and grab at Real Madrid
Antonio Sanabira struck a 94th-minute winner to condemn Madrid to their first league loss of the season!
SNS | New Delhi | September 21, 2017 10:11 am
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo: AFP)
Antonio Sanabria struck a 94th-minute winner as Real Betis stunned defending champions Real Madrid in their La Liga tie at the Santiago Bernabeu to leave Los Blancos’ title hopes in tatters.
After Barcelona smashed Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday to open up a seven-point lead over Real, Zinedine Zidane’s men were under pressure to clinch three points.
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And despite welcoming Cristiano Ronaldo back from a five-game suspension, Zidane’s men were unable to find a way past an inspired Antoino Adan in the Betis goal.
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Los Blancos fans were out in force, but unable to inspire their beloved team to a win! (Photo: AFP)
Betis, managed by Quicque Setin, looked dangerous from the off and had a shot cleared off the goal-line by Real right-back Dani Carvajal early on after a fast break to give the hosts a timely warning.
Los Blancos responded by overwhelming the visitors with a sustained barrage of pressure with Luka Modric, Isco and Ronaldo all coming close to opening the scoring, but with Adan standing firm in the away goal, it turned out to be a frustrating evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo tried his best, but just couldn’t conjure a goal (Photo: AFP)
In fact, had it not been for Keylor Navas, Real could have gone into the interval trailing, for the Costa Rican custodian made a stunning save from Fabian Ruiz to prevent the visitors from taking a shock lead.
Dani Carvajal (R) was a constant menace on the right flank! (Photo: AFP)
Having dropped points against Levante and Valencia already, coincidentally both at home, Real could not afford to slip further in the title-race and Zidane threw on Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Borja Mayoral in a bid to find the winner.
Gareth Bale didn’t quite turn up as Real fans hoped he would (Photo: AFP)
Gareth Bale, under pressure to keep his starting spot from Asensio, attempted a deft flick from Carvajal’s cross but Adan was alert to the danger and made a smart stop to deny the Welshman.
Nothing went by Antonio Adan on Wednesday! (Photo: AFP)
And as the hosts continued to pour men forward, there was always a chance that Betis would expose them on the break and in the fourth minute of injury-time, did just that.
Right-back Antonio Barragan floated in an inviting cross at the far-post for Sanabria to head home a late winner and condemn Zidane’s men to their first league loss of what may turn out to be a very long season.
Antonio Sanabria (L) scores past Keylor Navas (Photo: AFP)
Los Verdiblancos rise to sixth in the La Liga table with nine points from five games, a point ahead of seventh-placed Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane’s side are in trouble now! (Photo: AFP)
FC Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is likely to have only two central defenders available for his side's rescheduled La Liga game at home to Osasuna on Thursday night.
After Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti issued a warning towards La Liga claiming his side will not take the pitch if they are made to play two games in a period of less than 72 hours, La Liga president Javier Tebas pointed out that Los Blancos will be playing in a period shorter than 72 hours in the coming weeks due to their own demands.
La Liga goes into its last round of matches before the first international break of 2025. Former champions Barcelona will be hoping to extend their lead by adding to their current tally of 57 points from 26 matches.
