Captain Sergio Ramos for the umpteenth time headed a late winner as Real Madrid recovered from a howler by keeper Keylor Navas to beat 10-man Real Betis to go top of La Liga.
Navas escaped a red card for fouling Darko Brasanac, then spilled Antonio Sanabria’s shot into his own net.
Cristiano Ronaldo headed Madrid level from a Marcelo cross before half-time.
Betis defender Matteo Piccinini was sent off for dragging back Lucas Vazquez with 12 minutes left, before Ramos powered in a Toni Kroos corner.
Captain Ramos has made a habit of scoring vital goals for Zinedine Zidane’s side this season – most notably a last-minute equaliser against Barcelona and a late winner against Deportivo, both in December.
The centre-back’s power from set-pieces proved vital as Real did not quite click in attack without the suspended Gareth Bale, and with Karim Benzema named among the substitutes.
Alvaro Morata, given a chance from the start, was unable to make an impact and was replaced by Benzema with 20 minutes left.
Ronaldo provided his usual threat, heading a fine equaliser and seeing another goal ruled out for offside.
