Real Madrid loses at Betis as Isco leads comeback win
Real Betis staged a comeback to defeat Real Madrid, with Isco netting the decisive goal against his former team.
Real Madrid, currently second in La Liga, took the lead as Kylian Mbappe set up Ferland Mendy, who then provided a square pass for Brahim Diaz to easily slot the ball into an unguarded net.
Madrid had a couple of chances to double their lead before Johnny Cardoso equalised with a 34th-minute header from Isco’s corner.
Isco – captaining Betis against the club where he spent nine years – then netted a 54th-minute penalty after Antonio Rudiger had fouled Jesus Rodriguez in the box.
The hosts almost got a third when Cucho Hernandez shot wide after being picked out by Manchester United loanee Antony, who was available after his side won an appeal against his red card last week.
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Betis, managed by ex-Madrid and Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, moved up to sixth in the La Liga table and fully deserved their victory with 18 shots to Madrid’s nine.
It was the fourth time this season Carlo Ancelotti’s side have lost in La Liga and they remain behind Barcelona on goal difference.
Atletico Madrid could overtake them with a win against Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday (20:00 GMT).
Isco enjoys facing old side
Isco scored 53 goals in 353 games for Real Madrid, winning the Champions League five times and La Liga three times in nine years at the club.
The 32-year-old former Spain attacking midfielder joined Betis in 2023 after a short spell at neighbours Sevilla.
As well as assisting one goal and scoring the other, he ran the show with 97 touches, only behind former team-mate Luka Modric.
He picked up a late yellow card for time wasting.
This was his sixth goal in 15 games this season – with four of them coming in the past month.
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