VAR decisive in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win at 10-man Real Betis

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Sergio Ramos’ late penalty helped Real Madrid win at 10-man Real Betis 3-2 after the video assistant referee spotted a handball in the Spanish league on Saturday.

VAR revealed the handball against Betis defender Marc Bartra during a brush with Madrid substitute Borja Mayoral in the area. It seems Mayoral’s attempt to kick the ball pushed Bartra’s arm into the ball.

Ramos converted the spot kick for the 82nd-minute winner.

Madrid played with an extra man from the 67th when Betis defender Emerson was red-carded for fouling Luka Jovic with only the goalkeeper to beat. The referee’s decision was also aided by video.

Karim Benzema, the heart of Madrid’s title run last season, set up Federico Valverde for the 14th-minute opener, and pressured Emerson into scoring an own goal while trying to defend a dangerous cross to the French striker to make it 2-2.

“The important thing is our mentality. We came out of halftime motivated to take control of the game,” Ramos said. “We should learn from this. We can’t always fight back.”

Aissa Mandi and William Carvalho scored for a Betis that had won its first two matches under new coach Manuel Pellegrini. Midfielder Sergio Canales provided key passes in both Betis goals.

Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Sevilla all open their league campaigns on Sunday after having their first two rounds postponed for playing in European competition in August.

JOVIC SIGHTING

In a surprise move, Zinedine Zidane gave a rare start to little used Jovic, the striker who scored only twice in limited minutes last season after transferring from Eintracht.

Zidane may send him back to the bench after a subdued performance that featured only his race toward the area once launched on the counterattack by Benzema that ended in the red-card foul by Emerson.

HELD BY HUESCA

Valencia was fortunate against newly promoted Huesca to salvage 1-1 at home.

Daniel Wass got Valencia on the board in the 38th when his free kick intended as a cross into the area bounced untouched past four players, including Huesca goalkeeper Andrés Fernández, who was caught expecting a deflection.

Huesca, however, dictated long periods and defender Dimitrios Siovas headed a corner kick into the corner of the goalframe to level in the 64th.

The visitors came close to the winner when Shinji Okazaki volleyed off the crossbar.

Valencia lost striker Rodrigo Moreno to Leeds, winger Ferran Torres to Manchester City, and midfielder Dani Parejo to Villarreal in the offseason and did not replace them. The team has one win in three rounds.

“We have to be self-critical. We didn’t win because we didn’t play well, not because we need reinforcements,” new Valencia coach Javi Gracia said.

SOCIEDAD WINS

Mikel Merino passed for two goals as Real Sociedad beat Elche 3-0 for its first victory after drawing its first two matches.

Cristián “Portu” Portugués slotted in a superbly threaded pass by Merino to take the lead after halftime. Adnan Januzaj earned and converted a penalty to put the result beyond doubt with 12 to go. Merino assisted Roberto López to rifle home Sociedad’s third.

Merino, a midfielder, made his debut for Spain this month.

David Silva got his first start for Sociedad after returning to Spain following his title-filled stint at City.

Also, Getafe was held at winless Alavés to 0-0.

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This story has been corrected to show Madrid’s second goal was an own goal by Emerson, not scored by Benzema.

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