La Liga champions Real Madrid suffered a blow to their title defense with a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis on Saturday.
Isco, facing his former club, scored the winning goal from the penalty spot, securing Betis a deserved victory. The result left Betis level on points with league leaders Barcelona, who will play Real Sociedad on Sunday. Atletico Madrid, in third place, can move to the top of the table with a win against Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday.
Madrid took the lead at the Benito Villamarin Stadium through Brahim Diaz, but Betis responded with a powerful header from Johnny Cardoso. Isco’s penalty early in the second half sealed the win for the Andalusian side.
“I’m exhausted… it takes so much effort to win games, especially against Madrid, who have so many options. It’s really tough,” an exhausted Isco told Movistar. “Around the 30-minute mark, we stepped up our game, and I’m happy with the win against the best team right now.”
The 32-year-old playmaker, who returned to action in December after several months out with a broken leg, expressed his affection for Madrid, where he won several major trophies before leaving in 2022.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti fielded a strong lineup, knowing there was no room for error in the tight title race, despite the upcoming Champions League clash against city rivals Atletico on Tuesday.
Madrid started the match brightly and opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a well-crafted team move. Kylian Mbappe sliced through the Betis defense with a ball to Ferland Mendy, who squared it for Diaz to finish.
Betis gradually grew into the game, and after a lull in chances, they equalized midway through the first half. Cardoso powered a header past Thibaut Courtois from Isco’s corner, evading the attention of Madrid’s defense.
Manchester United loanee Antony, whose red card was recently revoked, was involved in several dangerous moments for Betis. Courtois made an outstanding save after the ball ricocheted off Aurelien Tchouameni and toward goal.
With Madrid losing possession frequently, they struggled without the suspended Jude Bellingham’s influence in midfield. Betis seized control and took the lead early in the second half when Antonio Rudiger fouled Jesus Rodriguez in the box, earning Betis a penalty. Isco calmly slotted it home for his sixth goal across all competitions.
Madrid’s frustration mounted as Tchouameni was fortunate to avoid a penalty after a tackle on Ricardo Rodriguez, and Cucho Hernandez wasted a good opportunity, firing wide when well-placed.
In the final 15 minutes, Ancelotti made a change, replacing Mbappe—who had been dealing with dental issues—with Brazilian teenager Endrick, who had scored in midweek’s Copa del Rey. Endrick fired wide, and Betis goalkeeper Adrian denied Vinicius with a strong save from long range as Madrid’s efforts fell short.
AFP
