Real Madrid overcome scare to win eight-goal epic at Real Betis

Real Madrid won 5-3 at Real Betis after coming back from 2-1 down at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in a La Liga thriller.

Zinedine Zidane’s side took the lead through Marco Asensio after 11 minutes as they looked set to take control following their 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League during the week.

However, Aissa Mandi scored just after the half hour mark to level before a Nacho own goal put the home side ahead just four minutes later. Betis went into half-time 2-1 up, but Sergio Ramos thundered in a header from a corner shortly after the restart to equalise as Real emerged with renewed vigour.

Just before the hour, Asensio had his second, and Cristano Ronaldo then grabbed a goal that seemed to settle the match. Five minutes from normal time, Sergio Leon struck to force a nervous ending, but Betis could not find a late equaliser.

Karim Benzema, on as a late substitute for Ronaldo, grabbed the eighth goal of the game in injury time. The result leaves Real Madrid in fourth on 45 points, one point behind Valencia, with a game in hand, but 17 points behind champions-elect Barcelona.

There were a number of positives for Real Madrid to draw from this game, but the injury suffered by Marcelo in the first half wasn’t one of them. The Brazilian left back appeared to be clutching his hamstring as he hobbled off and with the second leg of the Champions League clash against PSG just two weeks away that will be a serious concern for Zidane. Theo Hernandez looked shaky when he came on as deputy.

He changed the game after coming on against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League during the week and once again, he was a difference-maker for Real Madrid at the Benito Villamarin. Asensio has surely done enough to ensure that he keeps his place in the starting lineup from now on, with Real much more dynamic in the final third with the 22-year-old involved. He could be the catalyst for a much stronger second half of the season.

Real Betis - Adan 6, Barragan 5, Bartra 6, Mandi 7, Firpo 5, Amat 6, Fabian 5, Guardado 7, Joaquin 8, Loren 7, Boudebouz 8. Subs - Leon 6, Tello 4, Garcia 5.

Real Madrid - Navas 5, Carvajal 7, Ramos 7, Nacho 6, Marcelo 3, Lucas 6, Kovacic 5, Casemiro 5, Asensio 8, Bale 6, Ronaldo 7. Subs - Isco 6, Benzema 6, Theo 5.

11’ GOAL! Real Betis 0-1 Real Madrid. Asensio scores - He's well and truly back! Ronaldo fires a shot at goal, with Adan beating the ball away. But Asensio was on the rebound in a flash and heads home into the empty net! Real have the lead.

29’ MARCELO INJURY? This is a concern for Real Madrid. The Brazilian left back appears to have pulled up holding his right hamstring. Might Zidane be forced into a change here? Yes, on comes Theo.

33’ GOAL! Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid. Mandi scores - There's the equaliser! It had been coming for quite some time! Joaquin whips a wicked cross into the box, with Mandi drifting away from his marker and he powers a header past Navas. The hosts have drawn level.

37’ GOAL! Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid. Nacho scores an own goal - What a turnaround! Real Betis caught Real Madrid cold at the back, with Junior forcing the save from Navas. The rebound then bounced off the shin of Nacho and into the back of the net.

50’ GOAL! Real Betis 2-2 Real Madrid. Ramos scores - He's popped up again with a much-needed goal for his team! Ramos climbs above all others inside the box and powers a header past Adan in the Real Betis goal We're back on level terms.

59’ GOAL! Real Betis 2-3 Real Madrid. Asensio scores - The turnaround at the start of the second half is complete! Carvajal surges down the right side and squares a pass for Asensio in the middle, who open out his body and guides a finish in at the far post.

65’ GOAL! Real Betis 2-4 Real Madrid. Ronaldo scores - Real Madrid have a fourth! What a turnaround in this game. Casemiro picks out Ronaldo with space, who cuts inside and fires home a finish from eight yards out. Real are rampant now!

85’ GOAL! Real Betis 3-4 Real Madrid. Leon scores - It's game on again at the Benito Villamarin! Junior crosses the ball to the back post and Leon is on hand to finish! We have a match on our hands again! Betis are now on for an equaliser.

90+2’ GOAL! Real Betis 3-5 Real Madrid. Benzema scores - That settles the match in stoppage time. Real Betis lose the ball in their own half, with Vazquez squaring the ball for Benzema who does a good job of finishing with confidence. That's it wrapped up.

Real Madrid haven’t kept a clean sheet in a La Liga game since December 9.

Tonight was Real’s Madrid's first 3-5 away win in La Liga since 1960 (against Barcelona at Camp Nou).

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight goals in La Liga since the start of 2018, more than any other player.