Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis: Carlo Ancelotti’s champions held
Madrid #Madrid
Real Madrid head to the Champions League final on the back of one win in four La Liga games
Real Madrid ended their triumphant league campaign with a draw against Real Betis in their final match before facing Liverpool in the Champions League final.
Carlo Ancelotti named his strongest XI for the game between the La Liga champions and the Copa del Rey winners.
Karim Benzema twice went close to scoring but was unable to add to his 27 league goals for the season.
Gareth Bale, who is set to leave Real Madrid, was not involved in the game.
Real Madrid’s players gave a guard of honour to Copa del Rey winners Real Betis, before… …Betis’ players returned the compliment by giving La Liga champions Madrid a guard of honour
Ancelotti’s team wrapped up the title last month with four games to spare but they were unable to end the domestic campaign on a winning note.
They managed just three attempts on target during the 90 minutes, while Betis went close when 40-year-old substitute Joaquin fired narrowly over on his 600th La Liga appearance.
Real Madrid, who finish the league season on 86 points from 38 games, now have a full week to prepare for the Champions League final in Paris on 28 May.
Real Betis are fifth in the table on 65 points although Real Sociedad can draw level on points if they defeat Atletico Madrid at home on Sunday (21:00 BST).
No Bernabeu farewell for Bale
Ancelotti said on the eve of the game that it was important Real Madrid recognise the contribution Bale made to the club and called on fans to give him a fitting farewell in his final home game.
After naming the Welshman in his squad, the Real boss opted not to include him in his 23.
The 32-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of June, has helped the club win four Champions League trophies and scored 106 goals since joining from Tottenham for £85.3m – then a world transfer record – in September 2013.
Bale has been criticised in Madrid for being perceived to be more committed to playing for Wales than Real.
In March, he hit back at Spanish newspaper Marca for a column which described him as a “parasite”.
He has played just seven club games in 2021-22 totalling 290 minutes and scored one goal.
Line-ups Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
1Courtois
2Carvajal3Militão6Nacho23Mendy
10Modric14Casemiro8Kroos
21Rodrygo9Benzema20Vinícius Júnior
Substitutes
Real Betis
Formation 4-2-3-1
13Dantas da Silva
23Sabaly16Pezzella5Bartra15Moreno Lopera
21Rodríguez18Guardado
10Canales8Fekir7Juanmi
12Da Silva
Substitutes
Referee: Santiago Jaime Latre Live Text
Match ends, Real Madrid 0, Real Betis 0.
90’+5′
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 0, Real Betis 0.
90’+4′
Foul by Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid).
90’+4′
Borja Iglesias (Real Betis) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90’+4′
Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marcelo with a cross.
90’+3′
Attempt missed. Germán Pezzella (Real Betis) header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner.
90’+2′
Corner, Real Betis. Conceded by Dani Ceballos.
90’+1′
Attempt missed. Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Isco.
88′
Offside, Real Madrid. Isco tries a through ball, but Vinícius Júnior is caught offside.
87′
Attempt missed. Joaquín (Real Betis) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Borja Iglesias.
86′
Substitution, Real Betis. Cristian Tello replaces Sergio Canales.
85′
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
85′
Foul by Youssouf Sabaly (Real Betis).
83′
Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior.
83′
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83′
Foul by Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis).
82′
Attempt missed. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior.
74′
Substitution, Real Betis. Joaquín replaces Nabil Fekir.
73′
Substitution, Real Betis. Borja Iglesias replaces Juanmi.
72′
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Youssouf Sabaly.