Real Madrid brought their triumphant La Liga campaign to a close with an incredibly end-of-season 0-0 draw with Real Betis.
On what was Toni Kroos’ farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid’s focus was clearly elsewhere as even the heavy hitters in the squad refused to get out of second gear in favour of protecting their bodies for the upcoming Champions League final.
Betis did have two goals ruled out for offside but a goalless draw was the only way this match was ever going to end.
How the game unfolded
A steady start to the game saw clear-cut chances prove hard to come by. Dani Carvajal fired over from a cross, before Ferland Mendy’s effort was cleared off the line 15 minutes in.
Rodrygo’s low cross caused a moment of chaos when it was flicked towards goal by Vinicius Junior, but Betis stopper Fran Vieites managed to get in front of the effort.
Seven minutes before the break, Betis thought they had taken a surprise lead. Thibaut Courtois failed to deal with a cross and punched his clearance into Johnny Cardoso, who powered his effort into the roof of the net, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a harsh offside call.
Courtois did his best to redeem himself with a smart save to tip Ayoze Perez’s strike over the bar early in the second half.
Down the other end, Vieites needed to react quickly after Vinicius’ ferocious snap-shot went firing towards goal, although a late offside flag quickly brought an end to the moment.
Betis saw another strike ruled out for offside shortly after the hour mark, before the focus turned to celebrating Kroos’ career.
The German midfielder was withdrawn five minutes from time to a rapturous applause from the home fans, who were happy to sacrifice goals for the chance to say goodbye to a modern legend.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – Got away with a shocker for the disallowed goal but did redeem himself with a handful of smart saves.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – His typical link-up with Kroos was a major part of Madrid’s attack but he was often caught too far forwards and exposed at the back.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – Charged around determined to push as many people over as possible. A little chaotic without actually doing much wrong.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – 6/10 – If this is to be his final La Liga game, it was a perfect example of his Madrid career – solid and unspectacular.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – Got himself forwards as often as possible. Not always a significant…
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