Héctor Bellerín scored a late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw for Real Betis against Real Madrid in La Liga on Friday, a result that maintained Barcelona’s advantage in the title race.

Vinicius Junior put Real Madrid ahead in the 17th minute, giving the visitors hope of closing the gap on league leaders Barcelona. With the Catalan side sitting eight points clear heading into the weekend, Madrid sought to reduce the deficit and keep their championship hopes alive.

Despite controlling much of the match and creating several opportunities, Real Madrid was unable to extend their lead. In stoppage time, Bellerín, a former Barcelona defender now playing for Betis, struck to level the score and deny Madrid a victory. The goal was a significant boost for Betis and simultaneously served Barcelona’s interests by preserving their buffer at the top of the table.

Real Madrid’s assistant coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, expressed frustration over the final moments, stating that the team suffered “another blow” late in the game and that the draw was an unfair outcome given the chances Madrid created.

The result leaves Real Madrid with a challenging path to the title as Barcelona maintains a strong lead with only several matches remaining in the season. Meanwhile, Real Betis added a crucial point to their campaign by holding off one of the league’s strongest contenders.