Karim Benzema ensured Zinedine Zidane remains unbeaten as Real Madrid coach, with the striker's second-half equaliser earning a 1-1 draw against a stoic Real Betis at Estadio Benito Villamarin on Sunday.
Alvaro Cejudo's exquisite volley put Betis ahead inside seven minutes but Benzema ended Madrid's struggle to find a response when he rounded off a lovely team move with 19 minutes remaining to stave off a first defeat for Zidane and earn a point.
Madrid eventually settled but Cristiano Ronaldo - persistently booed every time he touched the ball by the home faithful - looked out of sorts and miscued his side's best opportunity to equalise before the interval.
With Gareth Bale absent due to a calf injury, James Rodriguez missed two great chances but finally justified his place in the front three by latching on to Toni Kroos' brilliant throughball and teeing up Benzema for the leveller.
Zidane's side were unable to find a winner in the closing stages, with former Madrid goalkeeper Antonio Adan making two late saves to leave them four points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona, while Betis' winless run extends to 11 games in all competitions.
Every touch for Zidane's side was met with jeers – Ronaldo receiving particularly harsh treatment - but they gradually gained a foothold in the game and Benzema warmed the gloves of Adan in the 17th minute.
Five minutes after the restart James failed to connect eight yards out and Adan did well to block Benzema's attempt to redirect a shot from Luka Modric into the net seconds later.
Madrid, having struggled to create opportunities, equalised in the 71st minute when Benzema tapped home from James' square pass after Kroos had split the Betis defence open, although Colombia international James could have been in an off-side position when he supplied the assist.
