A sad end for Real Madrid LaLiga Santander Los Blancos slump to dismal home loss to Betis in 2018-19 finale

Real Madrid's trophy-less 2018-19 season came to a desultory end with a 0-2 defeat to Betis in their LaLiga finale on Sunday afternoon at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

Goals from Loren Moron and former Real Madrid man Jese Rodriguez powered the Beticos to the three points, while for Real it was their third loss in the final four matches of this season to forget for the men in white in the Spanish capital.

Even with this being his final match for Real Madrid, Gareth Bale failed to make manager Zinedine Zidane's starting XI, but that was not the case for goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who is also departing the club this summer. The French boss also went with Federico Valverde in midfield along with Marcos Llorente, while Brahim and Vinicius joined Karim Benzema up top.

There was very little in the way of chances in the first half hour. Outside of a sizzling left-footed strike from Marcelo that went searing wide and a long-range Marc Barra shot that Navas touched over the crossbar, the two teams were engaged in a scrappy affair that very much had the look of an inconsequential season finale.

That was then follows by a frantic minute of action when a horrific error from Francis Guerrero gifted a chance to Benzema all alone in front of goal, but the French striker hit the post. Back the other way, Giovani Lo Celso tried to audaciously chip over Navas, who was off his line, only for the Costa Rican to stretch and tip the ball over the crossbar again.

Real started the second half with a bit more energy and Vinicius nearly broke the deadlock with some fancy footwork but could not find a way past Pau Lopez. That was immediately followed by Dani Carvajal's foul on Junior Firpo that could have easily been a red, however referee Undiano Mallenco, officiating in his final match, only issued a yellow.

Betis kept poking and prodding and they finally picked the lock right after the hour mark when Andres Guardado collected a pass on the left and swung a cross that Loren Moron one-timed into net for a 0-1 Betis lead.

It could have easily been 0-2 when Lo Celso sent a curling left-footer goalward, but Navas flashed his brilliance and pawed the ball to safety.

Meanwhile, Zidane had made two changes, with Marco Asensio replacing Brahim shortly before the Betis goal and then Isco coming on for Fede Valverde after Los Blancos had fallen behind. Yet, there was still no sign of Bale.

Betis were starting to make it look easy and more shoddy defending from the hosts enabled the Andalusians to double their lead, as Junior Firpo found an open Jese right in front of goal, and the former Real man slammed in a shot from just a few yards out for the 0-2 lead.

Zidane then made his final substitution, and perhaps summing up the final stages of his Real career, Bale was left on the bench by Zidane, with Lucas Vazquez getting the call. Meanwhile, the Bernabeu was none too happy about the goings on, and the fans that did not make their way for the exits stayed and showered their team with whistles.

At that point the white flag was out as the final minutes of the season played out with little emotion, with thoughts already drifting to what will surely be a different looking Real team to start 2019-20.

Match Sheet:

0.- Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Llorente, Valverde (Isco, min. 69), Modric; Brahim (Asensio, min. 60), Vinicius, Benzema (Lucas Vazquez, min. 77).

2.- Betis: Pau; Francis, Mandi, Bartra, Feddal, Junior; William Carvalho (Sidnei, min. 91), Kaptoum (Jese, min. 68), Guardado; Lo Celso, Loren (Tello, min. 74).

Goals: 0-1, min. 62: Loren; 0-2, min. 75: Jese.

Referee: Undiano Mallenco (Navarro).

Yellow cards: Kaptoum (Min. 30) for Betis, Valverde (Min. 49) for Real Madrid, Carvajal (Min. 58) for Real Madrid, Isco (Min. 85) for Real Madrid.

Red cards: None.

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu.

Attendance: 56.900.