Adán puts the brakes on Zidane's Real Madrid

Betis makes the first move

Juan Merino's team did not waste time in showing off the bright Benito Villamarín Stadium. In the seventh minute, Keylor Navas saved a shot by Rubén Castro inside the area with his feet, but the rebound was claimed by Fabian, who got the ball to Cejudo. The midfielder then executed a fantastic volley that put 1-0 on the scoreboard.

Madrid wakes up

Real Madrid did not lose its nerve after the goal and got stronger with every passing minute. The Whites had several chances to equalise, but the marksmanship was lacking. Cristiano Ronaldo had the best chance at the 32nd minute and Pepe was almost able to get the 1-1 at the 34th with a powerful header. In the end, however, the match left Betis ahead at halftime.

The James-Benezma connection

Betis held out until the 72nd minute with the scoreboard in their favor. Kroos made a perfect pass to James, who gave the ball up to Karim Benzema, who had only to put the ball in the back of the net to put 1-1 on the scoreboard. Benzema has managed 17 goals in this La Liga BBVA season.

This is how @Benzema celebrated scoring our equaliser against Betis! #RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/2f0v3r36gJ

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 24, 2016

Adán makes his mark

Betis fought hard against a Madrid side that had moved up a gear in the second half. Benzema scored, but the Andalusian team's attitude was perfect. Merino's men regrouped and managed to stop the Real Madrid assault. One of the key players was Adán, who kept his team out of hot water on several occasions, most clearly at the 79th minute, when Benzema tried for a goal and the Green-and-White keeper made a perfect save. Undoubtedly, his performance was the highlight for the team.

Control goes unrewarded

Real Madrid tried and tried without success. It kept control of the ball and the second half was dominated by Zidane's men, but the goal just did not materialise. Rather, Madrid came up against an Adán who seemed to have turned himself into a brick wall, stopping and saving their assaults time and time again. Cristiano, Benzema and James had chances to mount a counterattack, but lacked marksmanship and Zidane claimed his first draw as Madrid's coach. Merino again gets a draw.