Real Madrid have extended their 100% start to the new La Liga season by beating Real Betis 2-1 in their first game back at the fully refurbished Santiago Bernabeu this afternoon.
Something had to give in the capital as the contest pitted the division's two remaining perfect records against each other, and goals from Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo ensured that it was the champions who remained perfect.
Betis did put up a fight to suggest that they will once again be pushing for a Champions League spot this season, levelling things up in the first half before succumbing to Rodrygo's winner.
It took just nine minutes for Madrid to open the scoring as David Alaba's pass released Vinicius, who finished with aplomb by lifting the ball over Rui Silva in the Betis goal.
That lead lasted just eight minutes as Betis quickly responded, with former Real Madrid man Canales firing a low strike past Thibaut Courtois after being teed up by Borja Iglesias.
The equaliser came against the run of play, though, and Madrid quickly resumed control of the contest as Vinicius blazed over when he should have scored and Aurelien Tchouameni was denied by Silva.
Karim Benzema could not bundle the ball home from close range in the early stages of the second half as Luiz Felipe cleared it off the line, but Madrid did deservedly regain the lead shortly after the hour mark.
Federico Valverde made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, cutting the ball back to Rodrygo with his first touch as the Brazilian fired home what proved to be the winner.
Rodrygo also struck the woodwork as Madrid looked to put the result beyond doubt, but a one-goal lead was ultimately enough as the champions made it four wins from four at the start of the new season.
Barney Corkhill
