After a yellow card for Ortiz for a foul on Vini Jr., Gonzalo García scores and Real Madrid leads Betis By Carolina Costa
5 min read
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Real Madrid hosts Real Betis at Santiago Bernabéu on The match marks the return of the teams after the end-of-year break, with the home team seeking to reduce the gap to the leader Barcelona.
Gonzalo The game continues in progress, with Real Madrid pressing in search of expansion.
The clash pits the second-placed team against the sixth-placed team, in an important duel for both of their aspirations in the Spanish championship.
Team lineup
The teams entered the field with formations defined by coaches Xabi Alonso and Manuel Pellegrini. Real Madrid, without Mbappé due to injury, bet on Gonzalo García as a reference in attack.
- Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bellingham, Rodrygo; Vini Jr. and Gonzalo García.
- Betis: Valles; Ortiz, Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodríguez; Fornals, Deossa, Marc Roca; Antony, Ruibal and Cucho Hernández.
These choices reflect offensive strategies, with Real Madrid prioritizing speed on the wings and Betis seeking quick transitions.
Minute by minute of the main moves
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The main moments up to 26 minutes into the first half include intense actions from both sides.
- 19′ – Gol do Real Madrid! Rodrygo takes a free kick with precision, and Gonzalo García rises high to head it into the corner, with no chance for Valles.
- 18′ – Cartão yellow card for Ortiz, after a harsh foul on Vini Jr. on the side.
- 16′ – Rodrygo takes a risk from outside the area, and Valles defends for a corner.
- 05′ – Vini Jr. Ortiz dribbles, invades the area and falls asking for a penalty, but the referee orders him to continue.
- 02′ – Valverde finishes strong after a deflection, forcing a difficult save from the opposing goalkeeper.
- 25′ – Camavinga shoots on the mark, and Tchouaméni catches the ball but isolates it.
These moves highlight Real Madrid’s initial dominance, with constant pressure on Betis’s defense.
Start of the match
The ball rolled at 12:15 pm at Brasília time, with Betis starting exchanging passes in midfield. The Real Madrid responded quickly with high blood pressure.
Vini Jr. He soon showed skill by giving Bartra a pen in the 25th minute, cheering up the crowd at Bernabéu. Referee Alejandro Hernández commanded the opening whistle in a stadium with a good audience for the 2026 debut.
Goal that opened the scoring
The goal came in the 19th minute from a set piece. Rodrygo positioned the wall and took a free kick from the midfielder with a perfect curve towards the second post.
Gonzalo García, well positioned, anticipated the marking and tested firmly for the back of the net. The young striker celebrated with his teammates, scoring his first important goal of the season.
This move rewarded Real Madrid’s insistence on lateral fouls.
Embezzlements and context
Real Madrid feels the absence of Mbappé, injured in his knee, which forced Xabi Alonso to improvise with Gonzalo García in command of the attack. Outros players like Carvajal and Alaba are also in the medical department.
Betis arrives complete in general terms, with Pellegrini maintaining the tactical scheme that has yielded good recent results. The visiting team seeks to maintain an unbeaten record in certain direct confrontations.
Position in the table
Before the round, Real Madrid was in second place with 42 points, chasing the leader. Betis was in sixth, with 28 points, fighting for European places.
A victory for the home team would provisionally reduce the gap to the top of the table. Estatísticas shows a higher average number of finishes than Real Madrid in the season.
The historic clash favors the Madrid team at home, but Betis has won recent meetings.
Pressure on the technician
Xabi Alonso starts 2026 under observation after irregular results in 2025.
The Spanish coach is betting on young players like Gonzalo García to make up for absences. Pellegrini, experienced, prepares Betis for quick counterattacks.
Dangerous early moves
In the first minutes, Valverde almost scored a great goal when he caught Vini Jr’s cross. The ball went close.
Rodrygo also created chances, with a lift in the area that exploded in Gonzalo García’s face. Camavinga tried on the left, but isolated.
Betis responded with Deossa shooting from distance in the 23rd minute, but without direction.
Crowd reactions
Bernabéu recorded the presence of tracks with current and former idols, including one with Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Vini Jr. The fans were supportive from the opening whistle.
Gonzalo García’s goal sparked huge celebrations in the stands. Jogadores like Bellingham and Tchouaméni control the midfield with precision.
Betis Strategy
Betis adopted an initial defensive posture, with Ortiz and Bartra closing spaces for Vini Jr. Antony and Cucho Hernández seek quick exits.
Marc Roca and Fornals organize the ball release. A visiting victory would complicate Real Madrid’s pursuit of the leader.
Continuation of the first half
At 25 minutes, Vini Jr. He gave a great pen to Bartra, leaving the defender on the ground and generating applause. Camavinga received it and shot, but on target.
Tchouaméni caught a rebound and isolated. Real Madrid maintains superior possession of the ball so far.
The game continues intensely, with both teams seeking control.
Outlook for the second half
With a score of 1×0, Real Madrid must maintain the pressure to expand. Betis needs to adjust marking on set pieces.
Substitutions can change the outlook. The match is still underway at Santiago Bernabéu.
Stadium details
The Santiago Bernabéu has completed renovations, offering a modern structure. The lawn is in ideal conditions for the show.
Fans occupy different sectors, creating a favorable atmosphere for the home team.
Importance of the round
This round opens the 2026 calendar at La Liga, with teams motivated after the break. The Real Madrid aims for positive sequence before commitments in the Supercopa.
Betis wants points to consolidate its European position.
Featured players
Vini Jr. accumulates effective dribbles, while Rodrygo appears well in set pieces. Gonzalo García justifies ownership with the goal.
In Betis, Antony tries from the right, but faces strong marking.
Referee and fair play
Alejandro Hernández whistles with discretion, marking tactical fouls. The yellow card to Ortiz was for a strong tackle.
The game maintains a high pace without excessive interruptions.
Transmission and monitoring
The match is broadcast on sports channels, with real-time coverage. Torcedores continue bidding around the world.
The confrontation promises emotions until the end.
