La Liga: Real Madrid Drop In Title Race With Goalless Draw Against Betis

Real Madrid's hopes of winning the Liga title suffered a major blow after they stumbled to a goalless draw against Real Betis on Sunday, leaving them nine points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

While dominating and creating better chances, Los Blancos could not find the back of the net, with Karim Benzema having a free-kick strike disallowed for a handball by teammate Antonio Rudiger.

Madrid's lack of accuracy in the final third frustrated the team, with defender Lucas Vazquez admitting they "don't leave here happy, at all."

However, he remained optimistic about their chances, saying, "We will fight until the end because we truly believe that we can turn it around."

Former Barca now-Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo's fine saves denied Benzema and Vinicius Junior, while Thibaut Courtois was forced into two superb stops by Betis who gave a hearty performance and proved why they are in contention for a Champions League place next season.

The Brazilian, Vinicius, engaged in a running battle with the Betis defence, and despite setting up Benzema's chance, could not score away from home in the top flight since August.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti set up a 4-4-2 formation with Vinicius and Fede Valverde on the wings, with Rodrygo partnering Benzema up front.

Betis, missing injured playmakers Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales, gave as good as they got against the second-place Madrid, with Rodri Sanchez playing as the central attacking midfielder and shining throughout the match.

After the game, Betis striker Borja Iglesias praised Courtois for making a stunning save to thwart him, saying, "That's why this guy wins what he wins – he saves a lot."

Dani Ceballos, who came on as a substitute for Madrid and was whistled by his former side's fans, stroked an effort narrowly wide with 15 minutes remaining.

Vazquez remains hopeful about the team's chances, stating that "we're in March, we know it is complicated and we will fight until the end."

Madrid's next match is against Atalanta in the Champions League on March 16.

"We lacked a bit of accuracy in the final third, the last pass to create clearer chances and we don't leave here happy, at all," Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez told Movistar.

"No (the league is not lost), we're in March, we know it is complicated and we will fight until the end because we truly believe that we can turn it around."