Real Madrid is dying.

Some defeats are measured by the scoreline. Some defeats are measured by feeling. Real Madrid left La Cartuja after a 1-1 draw against Real Betis with the second type of defeat. They didn't lose on the scoreboard, but they lost in spirit. They lost in character. And they lost in how a great team can diminish itself.

A team of disjointed individuals

In the 94th minute, Hector Bellerin, a former Barcelona player, appeared in the penalty area to score the equalizer for Betis. The home crowd erupted. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's faces were filled with stunned silence. That moment spoke volumes.

A team that once thrived on last-minute comebacks, that once terrified opponents until the very last second, is now a victim of that very familiar weapon.

Real Madrid used to be experts at finishing matches. Now they are the ones being finished off. This is no longer an isolated slip-up. This is a recurring theme spanning weeks. A team trying to get back on its feet, but its legs lack strength. A giant wanting to accelerate, but its body is worn out.

The La Liga title race is therefore almost over. The gap with Barcelona is widening, while confidence at the Bernabeu is dwindling. Real Madrid's biggest problem right now is not a lack of star players.

Mbappe couldn't save Real Madrid.

They have Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and a host of other players capable of changing the course of a game. But owning stars doesn't automatically mean having a team. Against Betis, Real Madrid showed their familiar weakness: they shine for a few minutes, then fade away for the rest of the game.

Vinicius still has those blistering bursts of speed, but his finishing is lacking. Mbappe continues to score consistently this season, but in many big matches he has been lackluster precisely when the team needed him most.

Eduardo Camavinga continues to be controversial due to his inconsistent decisions. The midfield lacks control and rhythm. The defense is fragile when pressed late in the game. All of this creates a very strange Real Madrid: many talented players but little connection.

What's more worrying is the feeling that this team lacks a clear plan when entering crucial moments. They take the lead but don't know how to maintain the tempo. They are under pressure but don't know how to react. They need composure but lose their focus. This is a sign of a team that is not properly organized.

Real Madrid can always rely on moments of genius. But this season, those moments haven't been enough to mask the systemic flaws.

Barcelona must end the race.

On the other side, Barcelona is also far from perfect. Hansi Flick's team is facing significant setbacks with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha injured. Robert Lewandowski is in decline. Ferran Torres is inconsistent.

But the difference lies in the fact that Barcelona still retains a collective spirit. They know how to play. They have a clear structure. They know how to win even when they're not at their best.

Real Madrid played too disjointedly.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, is in a different situation. That's why the upcoming El Clasico could officially mark the end of the season for the Spanish giants. If Barcelona seizes the opportunity, they will not only beat their arch-rivals but also close the title race right in front of their rivals.

A year ago, that scenario would have been hard to imagine. But football always changes very quickly.

Real Madrid has no shortage of money, no shortage of stars, and no shortage of history. But currently, they lack the most important thing: vitality. This team is like a patient still trying to take to the field for the sake of fame, while their body has been giving warning signs for a long time.

For a club accustomed to being at the top of Europe, the state of death is more painful than a regular defeat. Because it forces people to face the truth: that great white shirt is no longer strong enough to save itself.