Real Madrid’s Dramatic Win Cost bet365 Millions

Soccer has once again earned its title as the king of sports, as a recent showdown between UEFA Champions League teams Real Madrid and Manchester City proved that unexpected turnarounds can surprise even bookmakers. The Spanish giants pulled off a dramatic late turnaround, leaving bet365 with a multi-million-pound loss, the operator’s worst result of the campaign.

The Match Offered Unparalleled Drama

bet365 Sports and Trading expert Steve Freeth conceded that the bookmaking giant was given a “right mauling” when Real Madrid fought back to triumph 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium. The game had its share of thrills with five goals, high drama, and soccer’s biggest stars giving it their all on the field.

Real Madrid was attractively priced at 13/5 pre-game, so we were sitting pretty at 2-1 with the visitors trading at 66/1 but the two late goals really hurt us.

Steve Freeth, bet365 Sports and Trading expert

Erling Haaland finally ended his drought against Real Madrid with two goals, including a late penalty that seemingly sealed the win for City. Los Blancos had other plans. Former City player Brahim Diaz equalized in the dying moments before Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time strike snatched Real Madrid the win.

Five goals, Haaland, Mbappe, and Bellingham all on the scoresheet, and a Real Madrid win means we’re very much licking our wounds this morning!

Steve Freeth, bet365 Sports and Trading expert

The sensational Real Madrid comeback didn’t just affect the night’s betting. It also shook up the Champions League outright market. The Spanish giants are now second-favorites, only behind Liverpool, with their odds coming down to 5/1. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s chances of defending their title have taken a massive hit. They are now priced at 20/1 to win the competition, a long way from their favorite status at the beginning of the season.

bet365 Retains Its Leadership Market Position

Despite the hefty short-term losses, bet365 remains one of the leading sports betting operators worldwide. This UEFA season should remain profitable for the operator, especially as it continues to adapt to the evolving sports betting landscape. The prop betting market’s rapid expansion has been one of the most impactful developments, directing the company’s R&D efforts.

bet365’s recent Year in Sports Betting report highlighted key industry trends, including the rise of micro-wagers, more betting on women’s sports, and a growing emphasis on international expansion. The company rolled out its iGaming platform in Peru, offering customers a rich selection of sportsbook products. In addition, bet365 opened a new US headquarters in Denver, Colorado, solidifying the US’ core market status.

With a focus on innovation and customer engagement, bet365 remains a dominant force in the industry. However, Tuesday night proved that even the largest bookmakers are not immune to the magic of Real Madrid. With the Championship League heating up, we could still see other similar comebacks that make soccer so exciting to watch.