Champions Real Madrid ended their LaLiga campaign with a goalless draw against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis
Date: 20 May 2022
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Carlo Ancelotti opted not to rest some of his key stars ahead of next weekend's UEFA Champions League final, as Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior, Ferland Mendy, Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal were all recalled.
Madrid settled the quickest of the two sides in the first half, with Toni Kroos firing wide inside 10 minutes after some good work by Mendy down the left flank.
Betis went close with their first opening on 20 minutes when Nabil Fekir dispossessed Casemiro before unleashing a strike from distance that sailed inches wide of the upright.
The hosts continued to dominate as the first half progressed, butt hey had to wait until the 42nd minute for another sight at goal as Casemiro sent a low strike just wide of the upright after bursting run through the middle.
Ancelotti responded with a double change at the start of the break as Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde replaced Toni Kroos and Casemiro in midfield.
Los Blancos were eager to get the opening goal early in the second half as Benzema forced Silva into a save on 51 minutes before he fired inches wide with another strike minutes later.
While the chances dried up, there was a bit of history made in the 76th minute when Betis introduced 40-year-old winger Joaquin for his 600th appearance in the Spanish top-flight.
Benzema should have broken the deadlock with six minutes left on the clock after being picked out by Vinicius, but the Frenchman somehow steered fired over the target from close range.
In the end, goalless was the encounter finished in the Spanish capital as Real now turn their attention to the Champions League final while Betis finish in the top six along with their Copa del Rey triumph.
Click through the gallery below to see the best-paid players in LaLiga this season:
