Real Madrid beat Betis as VAR takes centre stage

MADRID: Real Madrid edged Real Betis 3-2 in an eventful game for their first win of the Liga season on Saturday, thanks to a late Sergio Ramos penalty that was furiously protested by the hosts.

Madrid captain Ramos again showed nerves of steel to chip the ball into the net from the spot after a VAR review for a handball by defender Marc Bartra, who appeared to have been pushed by visiting forward Borja Mayoral.

Earlier in the second half, Betis defender Emerson was shown a straight red card for a foul on Luka Jovic following a VAR review, while Madrid's equaliser, given as an own goal by Emerson, was awarded after another VAR intervention ruled that Karim Benzema had been onside in the build-up.

Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde had given the champions a 14th minute lead with a close-range finish after fine work by Benzema on the byline.

But Betis struck twice in quick succession through Aissa Mandi and William Carvalho to take a 2-1 halftime lead.

After drawing their first game of the season 0-0 at Real Sociedad, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane ripped up his usual 4-3-3 formation for a 4-4-2 and handed a rare start to 60-million euro ($69.78 million) striker Luka Jovic, who partnered Benzema.

The Serbian offered little in attack during the game but still played a decisive role in the win, drawing the foul from Emerson which saw the Brazilian sent off in the 68th minute.

Madrid's run to last season's title was aided by a series of refereeing decisions going their way, but Ramos did not think his side were receiving special treatment.

Real Sociedad eased to a 3-0 win away to Elche, with Mikel Merino pulling the strings in their first victory of the season.

Sociedad were dominant against an Elche side playing their first top-flight game for five years. But they only broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Spain international Merino produced a sumptuous threaded pass to Portu, who fired into the far corner from a tight angle.

They extended their lead in the 77th when Adnan Januzaj scored from the spot after winning a penalty, and Roberto Lopez adorned a stylish win by blasting into the top corner in added time after another defence-splitting pass from Merino.

Sociedad, who drew their first two matches against Real Valladolid and Real Madrid respectively, have five points.

Elsewhere, Valencia's early season troubles continued as they could only draw 1-1 at home to promoted Huesca.

Meanwhile, Alaves picked up their first point of the campaign after a goalless draw at home to Getafe. Agencies

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