Immediate Reaction: Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis

Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis. Toni Kroos bids farewell to the home fans. Here is my reaction to the last game. Catch up on: Player ratings, post game quotes and a ManagingMadrid podcast.

Champions Real Madrid have one final La Liga game to get through before the Champions League final – and it was a Santiago Bernabéu farewell for Toni Kroos as the German icon announced his retirement earlier in the week. He started in midfield alongside Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde. Thibaut Courtois also started despite the potential for another goodbye to Kepa Arrizabalaga. Isco was absent from the opposition line-up due to injury, but did still travel home to meet his old teammates. Nacho Fernández captained the side today.

The first half was a drag at times, with Ferland Mendy having an effort cleared away from the line after a decent Rodrygo Goes effort fell his way. Vinícius Júnior, then came close but the keeper made a decent reaction save to keep it level. Betis the came close with an effort just wide of the post, before appearing to go 1-0 up when Juan Miranda’s shot fell to Johnny Cardoso who found the top corner. The goal however was disallowed when VAR found him to be offside. Half time, a fair bit of action – but 0-0 to show for it.

Betis had the first chance of the second half as Ayoze Pérez tested Thibaut Courtois, with the massive Belgian pulling off a great save to deny the forward. He’d be needed again not long later when Miranda fired an effort his way. Castilla graduate Willian José then almost triggered the infamous curse, but again the goal was ruled out for offside. Kepa Arrizabalaga did get one final game as a Real Madrid player after a mediocre loan, and Toni Kroos got his hands on the armband after Nacho Fernández came off. Kroos then came close to being the hero once more after sending a free-kick towards goal, but it was parried away by the keeper. It was then the German’s time to make way for the last time at home, to a huge roar from the crowd and hugs all round from his teammates. The camera even panned to Isco in the stands giving him a standing ovation. What a moment. He will get his last chance at glory in the final in a week’s time. It seemed destined for 0-0, and 0-0 it would be. Madrid finish the league with 95 points in first place. On a scale of 1-100000, how much will you miss Toni Kroos at Real Madrid?