Sergio Ramos netted a controversial winner from the penalty spot to give Real Madrid their first win of the season against 10-man Real Betis after a whirlwind contest at the Benito Villamarin.
Having drawn their season opener away to Real Sociedad, Zinedine Zidane handed Luka Jovic a surprise start, with Martin Odegaard kept in the lineup over Luka Modric who dropped to the bench.
It took the visitors just 14 minutes to open the scoring through Fede Valverde, with the Uruguayan converting a Karim Benzema cross from close range to net Real Madrid’s first goal of the season.
The dynamic of the match shifted in the space of just two minutes when Real Betis netted a quickfire double, with Aissa Mandi first powering a header past Thibaut Courtois and then William Carvalho squeezing a shot through the Belgian.
Modric and Isco were introduced for the start of the second half, with the former making an immediate impact. An Emerson own goal under pressure from Benzema restored parity before the Brazilian was sent off for bringing down Jovic as he was clean through.
VAR was used again to decide Marc Bartra had handled inside the area to prevent substitute Borja Mayoral from getting a shot away, presenting Ramos with the chance to Panenka a spot-kick past Joel Betis, giving Real Madrid all three points.
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