Jude Bellingham scored 16 goals in 18 games across all competitions, but it wasn’t enough to keep Real Madrid from dropping two points away at Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis.

Bellingham currently has the same league record as Cristiano Ronaldo in his rookie season, with 12 goals in 14 games.

He has accomplished what Ronaldo Nazario did in his only season at Barcelona and what Robert Lewandowski accomplished for them last season. He is in the company of some of the best attackers in La Liga history, but he did not finish up on the winning side since Aitor Ruibal equalized with a long-range goal.

Betis had a chance to win with their final assault, but Andriy Lunin glanced over Chadi Riyad’s header.

Madrid had to wait until minute 53 to score, and it was Bellingham who did it, picking the lock on Betis’ defense and finishing a play that was subtle from start to finish.

Bellingham sent the ball to Brahim Diaz, who then made a great diagonal run in behind the home defense. Brahim clipped the ball back to him, and he caressed it past Rui Silva while holding it on his chest.

Bellingham rejoiced with his arms extended in front of the Betis fans, who booed him at every touch after that. For the England midfielder, this was another of Spain’s iconic venues crossed off his bucket list, with 50,000 home fans seeing his brilliance.

‘Midfielder’ is becoming an unappealing description for him. This was a Madrid team without a recognizable number nine until Joselu came on late in the game – Bellingham was their center-forward despite working back like a midfielder and finishing like one.

The script had been written, and Madrid would now control the rest of the game. Ruibal, on the other hand, had different plans. Betis attacked after Carlo Ancelotti’s squad lost possession high up the pitch. 

When Willian Jose played the ball back to Betis’ right back, who hadn’t scored since May 2021, Madrid let him take aim. Ruibal scored the finest goal of his career to put Betis back in the game.

Madrid were disheartened by the comeback, and they nearly fell behind when Isco headed Luis Henrique’s header off the crossbar. The former Real Madrid midfielder would have loved to have scored the game-winning goal.

Real Madrid answered to the fright by dribbling clear on Bellingham’s pass before putting up Joselu, who struck just wide. Bellingham then almost set up Rodrygo for another late chance, but Chadi Riad expertly intercepted. And the defense won it late on as well, but Lunin tipped it over.