Captain Sergio Ramos again  provided the winner in the 81st minute  in Real Madrid’s crucial game against Real Betis at Bernabeu on Sunday. It was his tenth goal of the season. Just as he headed his team into the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek against Napoli from two Toni Kroos assists,  he did again  on the 81st  minute to win the game, against Betis.

After Barcelona had floundered earlier in the day, falling to Deportivo La Coruna, Madrid had their task cut for them against Real Betis. They must win to seize the league leadership. But they  got the shock of their lives in the 25th minute when Keylor Navas, the goal keeper scored own goal and gave Betis an early advantage, despite that Madrid dominated possession at this time 70-30. Navas had saved an arguably weak shot by Betis’ Antonio Sanabria, only for him to fumble the ball into his own net.

It took another 16 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo could make the amends by netting an equaliser via a header, after a Marcelo cross into the box. Madrid now have 62 points from 26 games, two points ahead of Barcelona, who had played 27 games and five points ahead of Sevilla, also with 27 games.

NAN