Forgotten former Arsenal star all however ends Real Madrid’s LaLiga title hopes as Real Betis snatch late 1-1 draw to offer Barcelona probability to increase result in ELEVEN POINTS

Real Madrid´s already slim hopes of winning La Liga were dealt another blow when Real Betis scored a stoppage-time equalizer in a pulsating 1-1 result on Friday.

Madrid was left trailing league leader Barcelona by eight points with only five games to play. Barcelona has a game in hand at Getafe on Saturday, meaning they can go 11 points clear with a victory.

The match started well for visiting Madrid as Vinicius Junior scored for the second time in four days. Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles could only parry Federico Valverde´s long range shot and the Brazilian striker followed up to slot in the rebound.

Betis, though, was not overawed and Andriy Lunin, in goal for the injured Thibaut Courtois, made two world-class saves to keep his side in the game.

Real Madrid’s LaLiga title hopes were dealt a severe blow after they were held by Real Betis

Former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin scored in injury time to deny Madrid three points

At the other end, Kylian Mbappé had a goal chalked off for offside, annulling a superb assist from former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold.

But Manuel Pellegrini’s side kept pushing for an equalizer and it came in the dying seconds.

Ferland Mendy went down  under a challenge from Antony and appealed for a foul but the referee waved play on and former Arsenal defender Héctor Bellerín calmly side-footed home inside a packed penalty area to the delight of the 54,000 fans at Betis´ Estadio La Cartuja.

The result meant Madrid has failed to win five of its last six games in all competitions.

Betis, meanwhile, was in fifth place, six points ahead of Getafe and seven behind Atletico Madrid.

Madrid boss Arbeloa was not happy with the incident involving Mendy and Antony after the final whistle. He said: ‘For me, it’s very clear (the foul on Mendy). It doesn’t take much to lose your balance in situations like that, where you use your body. But to understand that, you need to have a basic understanding of football. And we have a problem because those who make the decisions don’t understand .’

He also claimed his side were denied a spot kick when Brahim Diaz’s shot struck Ricardo Rodriguez’s hand. 

‘A clear penalty, with his hand outstretched, on a shot by Brahim. There’s not much more to it, it’s very clear.’