GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!!! The kill off Betis! Ronaldo clips the ball to the back post and Callejon volleys at goal, but his attempt falls to the feet of Ozil, who easily slots home from two yards! 3-1! Game over.
89'
There's definitely still a goal in this!
88'
OFF LINE FROM ALBIOL! HE SAVES MADRID AGAIN! Castro latches on from a poor header from Carvalho and hits the bar! The ball breaks to Pabon who bundles a shot at goal but Albiol is there to shuffle off the ball away to save a goal!
86'
What a challenge from Albiol! Betis probe for the equaliser once again as Chica reverses a cross into the box and Pabon smashes at goal. It was definitely nestling into the bottom corner but the former Valencia defender is there to block the attempt in the nick of time!
84'
Great block from Chica this time though. Ronaldo strides towards goal and unleashed a powerful strike from just outside the box, but the right-back puts his body on the line to win back possession and eventually take the ball down the right.
82'
Tempers flare on the touchline as Ronaldo is penalised for a nothing challenge on Chica. The Betis made the most of it as the Portuguese came through slightly on the follow through, and Jose Mourinho is giving the fourth official and the referee a real earful.
81'
Cristiano Ronaldo gets yellow.
80'
Dodgy defending from Madrid!! Ruben Castro picks up the ball deep down the right flank and whips a superb cross along the six yard box, which Albiol nervously bundles behind at the back post! Betis piling on the pressure now!
78'
G. Higuaín gets yellow.
@Dtayo2011 writes on Twitter: "Real Madrid versus Betis is going to end 2-2"- Could be the prediction of the night, but Betis need to see more of the ball!
76'
The Portuguese steps up and rifles the set-piece at goal, and Adrian nervously punches the ball instead of making the save. We see that a lot from 'keepers these days, why not just make the catch?
Minute
Description
75'
Real Madrid with the free kick around 35 yards out, but Ronaldo still fancies it..
73'
G. Higuaín enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Penalty goal scored by Jorge Molina for Real Betis!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL TO BETIS!!! Molina dusts himself off to take the penalty and effortlessly sweep the ball into the top corner What a spotkick that was! A glimmer of hope for Pepe Mel's outfit!
72'
Nacho gets yellow.
Penalty to Betis!! They counterattack at pace and the the ball comes to Jorge Molina inside the box, who jinks the ball towards goal only to be hacked down by Nacho Fernandez!
70'
Great defending from Amaya! Ronaldo shows his electric pace to get the better of Chica down the left flank and flash a cross to the back post. Callejon looks poised to score but the Betis defender is there to hook the ball out of the box.
68'
Los Verdiblancos have been largely limited to long-range shots on goal tonight. Pabon is the latest player to go for goal from distance but his attempt is again easily gathered by Diego Lopez, much to the exasperation of his team-mates.
67'
Rubén Pérez enters the game and replaces Cañas.
66'
Jose Canas is the latest player to be withdrawn. The Betis captain is replaced in the middle of the park by Ruben Perez. Last throw of the dice from the Andalusians.
64'
Betis have not really showed much in the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Madrid are looking confident after going 2-0 but, as we all know, Pepe Mel's men came from three goals down to earn a draw against Sevilla last week. It's still a momentous task they face, though.
63'
Another forced change for Real Madrid. Luka Modric is the latest player to pick up an injury and he'll be replaced by Pepe. Mourinho is going to have some real selection issues for the Champions League semi on Wednesday!
62'
Pepe enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
61'
@adrahmanyy writes on Twitter: "I see Real Madrid winning the game with a difference of 4 in the end. Klopp must be watching this"- The way Betis are defending it could be as much as that, and do we think Dortmund boss, Jurgen Klopp, will be worried or confident about what he has seen tonight from Mourinho's men?
59'
Álvaro Vadillo enters the game and replaces J. Campbell.
Pepe Mel makes an immediate change after going two down. On-loan Arsenal man Joel Campbell is replaced by Alvaro Vadillo.
58'
Betis parted like the red sea there!
57'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!!! Los Blancos double their advantage! A pacey counter attack sees Ozil drive through the middle and lay the ball outside to Ronaldo, who slips a pass beyond the defence to Benzema, and the Frenchman expertly slots into the bottom left corner at Adrian's near post! 2-0!
56'
The first booking of the match goes to, rather predictably, Jose Canas. The Betis man hauled Mesut Ozil to the ground just inside the Madrid half and he is the first player to see yellow.
55'
Cañas gets yellow.
Penalty shout for Real Madrid!! Antonio Amaya comes in and scythes down Ronaldo just inside the box, but the referee plays on! That looked like a stonewall spotkick there! Mourinho won't be happy!
53'
Woeful cross from Pabon. The Parma loanee done well to get beyond Varane down the left wing, but as he cut inside, he smashed the ball all the way to the other end of the field. Can't really explain that one!
51'
Benat tries his luck again as he receives the ball inside and has a crack from 25 yards out. The shot bounced just in front of Diego Lopez but the former Sevilla 'keeper again saved comfortably. He hasn't been stretched too much so far.
49'
There was an interesting change from Pepe Mel at half time. Nosa Igiebor, who looked fairly bright, is withdrawn for Jorge Molina, which will mean the hosts may play with two up top.
47'
Superb footrace down the right-hand side with Varane and Pabon. The ball was knocked down the wing and the duo sprinted at full pace to get on the end of it, with the Frenchman just coming out on top.
46'
Jorge Molina enters the game and replaces N. Igiebor.
We are back under way at Santiago Bernabeu!
45'
M. Özil has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by K. Benzema.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL FOR REAL MADRID!!! It was never going to be 0-0 at half time was it?! Ozil glides inside and exchanges a lovely one-two with Benzema outside the box before driving towards goal and confidently whipping a strike into the bottom right corner! Excellent football! 1-0!
43'
BETIS HIT THE WOODWORK NOW!! Pabon drifts into the centre and receives a cross to feet on the edge of the box, before whipping a superb strike at goal that bounces off the top of the bar! Really unlucky! He had to improvise as he was beyond the front post when the ball came to him.
41'
The match is starting to heat up as we approach half-time. I doubt a lot o of people would have predicted this being 0-0 at the break, and I'm not too sure how it is to be honest!
39'
RONALDO!!!!SO UNLUCKY!! The Madrid man cuts the ball on to his left-foot 25 yards out and lashes a shot towards the bottom corner, but his attempt crashed off the bottom of the post! Vintage Ronaldo there, really unfortunate not to open his account.
37'
Superbly entertaining affair so far but we are just lacking a some goalmouth action. Madrid should be offering more in the final third as Betis' defence doesn't look particularly sturdy or organised. No goals yet.
35'
NOSA!! What a spectacular attempt that was! A cross in floated to the edge of the box and Betis' hero in the Andalusian derby last week goes for the bicycle kick. If that had came off it would have been goal of the season, but sadly for the visitors it was screwed wide.
33'
Much better from the visitors. Ruben Castro cleverly flicks the ball into the path of Benat who drives forward before having a crack with the outside of his right foot, but the attempt goes straight down the throat of Diego Lopez, who gathers with ease.
31'
Betis' main problem at the moment is that they are struggling to retain possession whenever they get into the final third. Pabon has been the worst offender as he has attempted two or three crosses or passes inside that have been easily dealt with by Madrid. A little more imagination needed.
29'
Since Varane's introduction, Nacho has moved over to left-back and the Frenchman has slotted in on the right-hand side. He looks as if he's enjoying himself too, he's certainly not shy in getting forward!
27'
Steady start to the match from Madrid youngster, Casemiro. The Brazilian is on-loan from Sao Paulo so this is a great opportunity to stake his claim for a permanent contract.
25'
A mis-control from Ronaldo allows Adrian to claim the ball! Modric clips a superb pass over the top of the Betis defence and the Portuguese runs beyond but just allows the ball to slip under his foot. He had a free shot on goal had he managed to take that in.
23'
It's been a really open game so far, but neither Diego Lopez or Adrian have had too much to do in terms of shot-stopping.
21'
Ronaldo again! He should be on the scoresheet! A Madrid corner kick is swung into the centre and the former Manchester United man rises high to bullet a header at goal, but his attempt goes just the wrong side of the crossbar. Poor defending from Betis, they gave him far too much space!
19'
Betis are playing a really high line and Madrid look to be prospering from it at the moment. Benzema, Ronaldo, Ozil, Callejon; they've all got terrific pace and are capable of running beyond the defence through on goal.
17'
RONALDO!! He should have done better! Benzema does well to shake off a couple of challenges and get to the byline before reversing a cross to his team-mate at the edge of the box, but the Portuguese horrible slices his attempt wide. Not like him at all.
16'
@Orteezzeey writes on Twitter: "Final score Real Madrid 3 - Betis 1 (Ronaldo 2 goals).
@manfredopoku thinks it will be one better: "Madrid to win 4-1"- Are there any Betis sympathisers out there??
15'
R. Varane enters the game and replaces Marcelo.
We've already got some Twitter predictions in!
14'
Marcelo's game is over. He comes off and is replaced by Rafael Varane. The Brazilian must be a doubt for the match against Dortmund now!
13'
Worrying scenes for Madrid at the moment as Marcelo is currently down. The left-back stretched for a ball in the air and looked to stretch out his hamstring. It doesn't look like he'll be able to continue!
11'
Ronaldo and Marcelo link-up up with typical intensity down the left-hand side and the Brazilian eventually smashes a cross into the six yard box but Paulao was there to knock it out for a corner.
9'
The hosts are just starting to feel their way into the game now and look much more comfortable in possession. Betis started at a rapid pace and Madrid have just took a few minutes to adjust. Pepe Mel's men should take confidence from the opening, though.
8'
Betis are taking it to Madrid here!
7'
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL TO BETIS!! WAIT! NO! OFFSIDE!! The corner kick is floated in and the ball comes to Nose who fires a shot at goal which is saved by Diego Lopez. Ruben Castro slots in the rebound but the goal is correctly ruled offside!
6'
Super challenge from Carvalho. Dolan Pabon gallops down the right-hand side and lashes a cross to the front post, but the Portuguese defender is on hand to stretch out a leg and turn the ball behind for a corner.
4'
Betis get the free kick from the Paulao injury and Benat floats the ball into the Madrid box, but Cristiano Ronaldo is on hand to head to safety! Really fast-paced start to the match here!
3'
It looks like he'll be okay. The last thing Pepe Mel would want would be a forced substitution so early in the match!
2'
We are just two minutes into the game it looks as if Paulao may struggle to continue. The Betis man volleyed the bottom of Modric's boot and seems to be in a lot of pain are he writhes on the floor.
1'
We are under way at Santiago Bernabeu!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be taking you through the action this evening!
TEAM NEWS.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Diego Lopez; Nacho, Albiol, Carvalho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric; Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Real Betis (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Chica, Amaya, Paulao, Alex Martínez; Canas, Benat; Nosa, Campbell, Pabon; Ruben Castro.
As expected, Jose Mourinho has made a few tweaks to his line-up with the Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund coming up on Wednesday.
Brazilian midfielder, Casemiro, makes his debut for Los Blancos tonight. The 21-year-old is currently on-loan to the Castilla from Sao Paulo. Will be interesting to see how he does against a talented Betis midfield!
The Portuguese coach also gives his defence a shake-up as Raul Albiol, Ricardo Carvalho, and Nacho Fernandez come in to the backline. A slight gamble from Mourinho since they do not have second place in the bag yet?
The stats don't make particularly scintillating reading for the Betis fans out there!
Betis have won just three of their last 14 matches across all competitions and have not won away against Real Madrid since October 1998! It's probably about time they stopped the rot!
Half time in Santiago Bernabeu. Betis have been brave going forward but a shaky backline was eventually undone as Mesut Ozil went beyond the defence to coolly finish into the corner. It's been a pretty even game but Madrid lead at the break. Join us in 15 minutes for the second half!
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