A sloppy Real Madrid were held 0-0 at home to Real Betis on Saturday in a further blow to their hopes of retaining the LaLiga title.
Still depleted by a spate of injuries and stifled by a downpour and a soaking pitch, Madrid rarely got going and had few goalscoring opportunities, while Betis kept them on their toes but also failed to carve out clear-cut opportunities.
Madrid came closest with a mis-hit cross from Rodrygo in the second half which hit the bar plus a distance strike from Luka Modric which was comfortably parried by Claudio Bravo.
A second goalless draw in three league games left Madrid second in the standings with 71 points, two behind leaders Atletico Madrid who can increase their lead to five points with victory at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. Betis are sixth on 50.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
15' Victor Ruiz makes a timely clearence
16' Asensio's shot flies high
20' Isco's free-kick too high
25' Benzema's shot denied
34' Yellow Card! Isco booked
40' Benzema's shot flies into the sky
54' Rodrygo hits the cross-bar
60' CHANCE! Guido Rodriguez's shot denied
64' Borja Iglesias misses a golden chance
74' Casemiro's shot wide out
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Modric, Benzema, Courtois, Casemiro, Isco, Nacho, Carvajal, Varane, Asensio, Militao, Rodrygo
Subs: Marcelo, Hazard, Mariano, Odriozola, A. Lunin, Vinicius, Antonio Blanco, Altube, Sergio Arribas
Betis XI: Joaquin, Guardado, Bravo, Canales, V.Ruiz, Mandi, Iglesias, G. Rodriguez, Aparecido, Lainez, Juan Miranda
Subs: Sidnei , Robles, Juanmi, Bartra, Montoya, Carvalho, Álex Moreno, Ruibal, Moron, Y. Fékir, P. Akouokou, Rodri