Real Madrid ended their La Liga campaign with a late-season draw 0-0 with Real Betis.
As for Toni Kroos’ farewell at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid’s focus was elsewhere as even the team’s heavy hitters refused to get out of second gear to protect their bodies in the Champions League final.
Betis had two goals ruled out for offside but a draw was the only way this game would end.
How did the game happen?
A steady start to the game saw clear opportunities hard to come by. Dani Carvajal fired over the crossbar, before Ferland Mendy’s effort was cleared off the line on 15 minutes.
Rodrygo’s low cross caused a moment of chaos when it was headed home by Vinicius Junior, but Betis stopper Fran Vieites was able to get in front of the effort.
Seven minutes before the break, Betis thought they had taken an unexpected lead. Thibaut Courtois failed to deal with the cross and flicked his clearance to Johnny Cardoso, who put his effort into the roof of the net, only for VAR to rule the goal out due to a difficult call.
Courtois did his best to redeem himself with a smart save to hand Ayoze Perez a shot over the bar early in the second half.
Vieites, on the other hand, needed to react quickly after Vinicius’s brutal shot went wide of the goal, or a late offside flag quickly ended the period.
Betis saw another strike ruled out for offside just after the hour, before the focus turned to celebrating Kroos’ career.
The German midfielder was withdrawn with five minutes to go to a standing ovation from the home fans, who were happy to give up goals for the chance to say goodbye to a modern legend.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – He had the shock of a disallowed goal but redeemed himself with a couple of smart saves.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – His regular link-up with Kroos was a big part of Madrid’s attack but he was often caught going too far forward and exposed at the back.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – Charged everywhere it is determined to push as many people as possible. A little chaos without doing too much.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – 6/10 – If this will be his last La Liga game, it was a perfect example of his Madrid career – solid and unspectacular.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – He pushed himself forward as often as possible. Not a serious threat all the time but unfortunately not scoring in the middle of the first half.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 6/10 – He is not always a reliable defender but he got away without making any real mistakes.
CM: Federico Valverde – 6/10 – Worked in a deep role to allow Carvajal to fly forward. Not with his sharpness.
CM: Toni Kroos – 7/10 – It is often played with the ball at his feet. He played many short passes to keep Madrid strong.
AM: Jude Bellingham – 6/10 – Definitely not his sharpest work. He tried to participate but he knew very well that he didn’t have to push himself as the Champions League final is about to be played.
ST: Rodrygo – 5/10 – I felt like I was on the edge of the game and never looked like I made anything happen.
ST: Vinicius Junior – 6/10 – Madrid’s liveliest attacking duo. He could have grabbed a goal early in the first half and it proved to be the crux of the team’s dangerous moments.
What you are holding
SUB: Kepa Arrizabalaga (63′ for Courtois) – 6/10
SUB: Eder Militao (63′ for Nacho) – 6/10
SUB: Luka Modric (73′ for Camavinga) – 6/10
SUB: Lucas Vazquez (73′ for Carvajal) – 6/10
SUB: Dani Ceballos (87′ for Kroos) – N/A
Subs used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Fran Garcia, Mario Martin, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Joselu
The manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – He gave important minutes to the key players but never got anything important from the defensive players in the upcoming finals.
Player of the match – Fran Vieites (Real Betis)
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