Real Madrid warmed up for their Champions League showdown at Celtic Park with a narrow win over Real Betis.
Carlo Ancelotti's reigning La Liga champions consolidated their position at the table summit after four games as they maintained a 100 per cent record in the early weeks of their title defence. Goals from Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo in either half were enough to beat second-placed Betis, who equalised through Sergio Canales in the first period.
A bright Betis start was made to count for nothing by the class of Vinicius, who latched on to a ball over the top before cooly lofting a delightful finish over keeper Rui Silva. But the visitors refused to go away and were level by the 17-minute mark through ex-Real star Canales, a goal conceded in disappointingly simple fashion for Ancelotti's team. A throw into the Real box was laid off to the attacking midfielder and he finished beyond Thibaut Courtois. It made for a fascinating contest from there on out, with the home side shifting through the gears as the half progressed.
