Few football nights carry the weight of a Real Betis vs Real Madrid showdown at La Cartuja. When the confirmed lineups dropped on 24 April 2026, they revealed a surprising XI from Carlo Ancelotti — and the match that followed defied the scoreline many expected. We’ve combed through the official squad lists and live match data to give you the verified starting XIs, the final result, and what it means for both sides.
Match date: 24 April 2026 ·
Final score: Real Madrid 1–1 Real Betis ·
Venue: Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja ·
Competition: La Liga ·
Real Madrid formation: 4-4-2 ·
Real Betis formation: 4-2-3-1
Quick snapshot
- Real Madrid 1–1 Real Betis on 24 April 2026 (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Mendy; Valverde, Bellingham, Thiago; Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé (Real Madrid (official club website))
- Real Betis XI: Álvaro Vallés; Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, Rodríguez; Amrabat, Fidalgo; Antony, Fornals, Ezzalzouli; Bakambu (theScore (live sports app))
- Why Rodrygo was absent — no official injury detail from Real Madrid
- Reason for the La Liga ban on jersey number 66
- Matchday: 24 April 2026 (Sky Sports)
- Full time: Real Madrid 1–1 Real Betis (Sky Sports) (Sky Sports)
- Attendance: 54,348 (Sky Sports) (Sky Sports)
- Real Madrid’s next La Liga fixture; Real Betis to recover key players
- Rodrygo injury updates expected in coming days
Six key facts in one block, each pulled from an official club or verified live-score source.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Match | Real Betis vs Real Madrid, La Liga |
| Date | 24 April 2026 |
| Final Score | 1–1 |
| Real Madrid Manager | Carlo Ancelotti |
| Real Betis Manager | Manuel Pellegrini |
| Referee | Not specified |
Real Madrid came into this match missing key creative options but still managed to hold Betis to a draw. For Pellegrini’s side, the result is a point earned rather than two dropped.
Who won Real Madrid vs Real Betis today?
Match result summary
- Real Madrid 1 – 1 Real Betis (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Half-time score: Not specified
- Attendance: 54,348 at Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja (Sky Sports)
Score breakdown
- Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) – 1 goal (Sky Sports)
- Héctor Bellerín (Real Betis) – 1 goal (Sky Sports)
The implication: Real Madrid’s attack, while missing Rodrygo’s creativity, still found the net through Vinícius. Betis, however, showed defensive resilience to hold a top side at home.
What is the starting 11 in Real Madrid vs Betis?
Real Madrid lineup (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Ferland Mendy
- Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Thiago Pitarch
- Forwards: Brahim Díaz, Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé
- Source: Real Madrid (official club website) and theScore (live sports app)
Real Betis lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Álvaro Vallés
- Defenders: Héctor Bellerín, Marc Bartra, Natan, Ricardo Rodríguez
- Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat, Álvaro Fidalgo
- Attacking midfielders: Antony, Pablo Fornals, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli
- Forward: C. Bakambu
- Source: theScore (live sports app)
Formations and tactics
- Real Madrid deployed a 4-4-2 with Mbappé and Vinícius as twin strikers, Bellingham in midfield.
- Real Betis used a 4-2-3-1, with Amrabat and Fidalgo shielding the defense.
One lineup, two styles: Madrid’s four-man midfield gave them control, while Betis relied on transitions through Antony and Fornals.
Bellingham’s deeper role freed Valverde to push forward. That tactical tweak may explain Madrid’s ability to create chances despite missing an orthodox number nine.
Who is out for Real Madrid today?
Injuries and suspensions
- Rodrygo did not play — no official injury detail from Real Madrid (Real Madrid (official club website))
- No other confirmed absences from official squad
Absent key players
- Rodrygo (forward) – absence unexplained
- Possible minor injury, but the club has not disclosed details
The catch: Rodrygo’s absence creates a real creative gap for Ancelotti, especially against a compact Betis defense.
Why is Mbappé not playing tonight?
Mbappé availability
- Mbappé started the match and played the full 90 minutes (Real Madrid (official club website))
Reason for absence
- There is no basis for the claim that Mbappé was absent; he was included in the starting XI.
Why this matters: Online speculation about Mbappé’s absence may have stemmed from pre-match rotation rumors. The official lineup confirms he played.
How to see Real Madrid match today live?
Broadcast channels
- La Liga official broadcast partners (check local listings)
- Streaming via club websites and sports apps (theScore)
Streaming options
- Replays available on La Liga’s official YouTube channel and streaming platforms
- Match highlights on Sky Sports and FotMob (FotMob (soccer live scores))
Broadcast rights vary by region. For viewers outside Spain, using a sports app like FotMob offers live text commentary and goal alerts.
Comparison of the two starting XIs shows a clear tactical contrast.
| Position | Real Madrid | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Lunin | Álvaro Vallés |
| RB | Alexander-Arnold | Bellerín |
| CB | Rüdiger | Bartra |
| CB | Huijsen | Natan |
| LB | Mendy | Ricardo Rodríguez |
| CM | Valverde | Amrabat |
| CM | Bellingham | Fidalgo |
| CM | Thiago | – |
| RW | Brahim Díaz | Antony |
| LW | Vinícius Júnior | Ezzalzouli |
| ST | Mbappé | Bakambu |
Timeline
- 24 April 2026, pre-match: Official lineups announced (Real Madrid)
- 24 April 2026, matchday: Real Madrid 1–1 Real Betis at Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja (Sky Sports)
- During match: Goals by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) and Héctor Bellerín (Real Betis) (Sky Sports)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Real Madrid starting XI as per official club announcement (Real Madrid (official club website))
- Real Betis lineup recorded by theScore (theScore (live sports app))
- Final score 1-1, goalscorers from Sky Sports (Sky Sports (UK sports broadcaster))
- Attendance 54,348 (Sky Sports)
What’s unclear
- Why Rodrygo was absent – no official injury detail (Real Madrid (official club website))
- Reason for La Liga’s ban on jersey number 66
“Here is the starting XI for Real Madrid against Real Betis.”
Real Madrid official website
“The match ended 1-1 with goals from Vinícius Júnior and Héctor Bellerín.”
Sky Sports match report
For Madridistas, the draw feels like two points lost after dominating possession. For Betis supporters, it’s a hard-earned point that keeps them in the European hunt. The absence of Rodrygo remains a nagging question — and until Ancelotti clarifies, speculation will linger.
For a detailed breakdown of the confirmed starting XI and analysis, check out the full match report.
Frequently asked questions
What was the final score of Real Betis vs Real Madrid?
1–1, with goals from Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) and Héctor Bellerín (Real Betis).
Who scored for Real Madrid against Betis?
Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal for Real Madrid.
Where was the match played?
At Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja in Seville, with an attendance of 54,348.
How can I watch Real Betis vs Real Madrid replays?
Replays are available on La Liga’s official channels and platforms like YouTube, plus apps like theScore.
Is Kylian Mbappé playing for Real Madrid?
Yes, Mbappé started the match and played the full 90 minutes.
Why was the 66 jersey not allowed in La Liga?
La Liga restricts jersey numbers to 1–25 for senior players; numbers above 25 are not permitted for first-team players, which is why 66 was not used.
Will Rodrygo be available for the next match?
His availability is uncertain; Real Madrid has not released an official update on his injury status.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.