Jude Bellingham scores YET AGAIN to equal Cristiano Ronaldo record... but the Real Madrid star's strike isn't enough as his side drop points in 1-1 draw against Manuel Pellegrini's Betis

Jude Bellingham made it 16 goals in 18 games in all competitions but it was not enough to prevent Real Madrid dropping two points away at Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis.

Bellingham’s league record is now 12 goals in 14 games – identical to Cristiano Ronaldo in his first season.

He has done what Ronaldo Nazario also managed to do in his only season at Barcelona and what Robert Lewandowski achieved for them last season. He is in the company of some of the greatest strikers in the history of La Liga but he didn’t end up on the winning side because Aitor Ruibal equalised with a shot from distance.

Betis could even have won it with their last attack but Andriy Lunin tipped over Chadi Riyad’s header.

Madrid had to wait until minute 53 to open the scoring and when they did it was Bellingham picking the lock on Betis’ defence, finishing a move that was subtlety from start to finish.

Bellingham played the ball into Brahim Diaz and then made a perfectly timed diagonal run in behind the home side’s defence. Brahim clipped the ball back to him and he took it on his chest before stroking it past Rui Silva.

Bellingham celebrated arms open in front of the Betis fans and the booed his every touch thereafter. For the England midfielder this was another of Spain’s landmark stadiums ticked off his hit list – with 50,000 home supporters a witness to his brilliance.

‘Midfielder’ is increasingly an unsatisfactory label for him. This was a Madrid side without a recognized number nine until Joselu came on late on – Bellingham was their centre-forward, for all that he was also working back like a midfielder, and he had finished like one.

The script was now set – Madrid would now boss the rest of the game. But Ruibal had other ideas. Carlo Ancelotti’s team lost possession high up the pitch and Betis attacked. 

When Willian Jose rolled the ball back to the Betis right back, who had not scored since May 2021, Madrid laid-off him allowing him to take aim. Ruibal beat Andriy Lunin with the best goal of his career and Betis were back in it.

Madrid were deflated by the comeback corker and they almost went behind when Isco headed Luis Henrique’s header on to the post. How the former Madrid midfielder would love to have scored the winner.

Real Madrid responded to the scare and Rodrygo ran on to Bellingham’s pass and dribbled clear before setting up Joselu who shot just wide. Bellingham then almost played Rodrygo in for another late chance but Chadi Riad intercepted perfectly. And the defender also won it late on but Lunin tipped over.