Real Madrid Suffer Shock Defeat on Ronaldo Return

A stoppage-time goal from Antonio Sanabria handed Real Betis a shock 1-0 win away to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

It was the first time the Spanish and European champions failed to score in 74 matches as they now sit seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona just five games into their defence of La Liga title.

Despite the return of Cristiano Ronaldo after a five-game domestic ban, Zinedine Zidane’s men have now failed to win in all three home games so far this season.

Los Blancos were thwarted by former Real goalkeeper Antonio Adan, who produced stunning saves from Isco, Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale in a solid defensive performance for the visitors.

No luck for Ronaldo and co. Image: Sun

There were signs of the shocking result early on when Sanabria’s goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Dani Carvajal, while Keylor Navas produced a superb save to deny Fabian Ruiz.

However Real responded with an onslaught that saw Adan palm Isco’s effort, while Ronaldo blazed wildly over from Bale’s inch-perfect cross before Kroos forced Adan into another finger-tip stop.

Adan kept his side in with a stunning save to deny Bale’s backheeled volley 15 minutes from time, and deep into stoppage-time, the visitors completed the smash and grab when Sarabia bulleted a header into the far corner from Antonio Barragan’s cross.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid celebrated being named hosts of the Champions League final in 2019 with an impressive 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao to move up to third, while Sevilla moved into second, two points behind Barca, as Jesus Navas’ effort secured a 1-0 win over Las Palmas.

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