Real Madrid miss chance to go top with loss at Betis
Real Betis vs Real Madrid
On a dramatic Saturday evening at the Benito Villamarín, Real Madrid suffered a disheartening 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Betis, a result that saw their former star Isco deliver the decisive blow with a second-half penalty. The loss was a bitter setback for the visitors, who squandered an opportunity to ascend to the summit of LaLiga, leaving them locked on 54 points alongside arch-rivals Barcelona, who were set to face mid-table Real Sociedad the following day. Meanwhile, third-placed Atletico Madrid, sitting just one point behind on 53, loomed as a potential beneficiary, with their clash against fourth-placed Athletic Club later that evening offering them a chance to leapfrog both Madrid giants and claim the top spot. For Real Madrid, the match had begun with promise, their early dominance translating into a lead courtesy of Brahim Díaz’s tap-in after only 10 minutes, a goal orchestrated by a brilliant through ball from Kylian Mbappé and a precise assist from Ferland Mendy. However, Betis, buoyed by their home crowd and the ingenuity of Isco—named man of the match—mounted a spirited comeback, leveling the score through Johnny Cardoso’s close-range header before the former Madrid maestro sealed the turnaround with a clinical spot kick. Isco’s post-match reflections to Movistar captured the emotional weight of the victory: "I'm dead, exhausted. In the end it's very hard to win games against Madrid, who have millions of resources, it's very difficult. I'm happy for the win against the best team out there today. Hopefully we can finish the year in the best possible way." The result propelled Betis to 38 points, securing sixth place and the final European qualifying position, while Madrid were left to rue a missed opportunity in a tightly contested title race.
The contest had commenced with Real Madrid asserting their authority, their attacking fluency on full display as they carved through Betis’ defense in the opening exchanges. Mbappé, ever the catalyst, threaded a sublime pass to Mendy, whose low cross from the left found Díaz in prime position to slot home with ease, giving the visitors a deserved lead after just 10 minutes. The goal seemed to herald a night of dominance for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, their possession and movement suffocating Betis in the early stages. Yet, the hosts, initially sluggish and overwhelmed, refused to buckle. Gradually, they shook off their lethargy, finding a foothold in the game through tenacity and the orchestration of Isco, whose presence in midfield began to tilt the balance. Their persistence bore fruit in the 34th minute when a well-delivered corner from Isco was met by Cardoso, who rose above the Madrid defense to nod the ball past Thibaut Courtois from close range, restoring parity and igniting the home faithful. The equalizer shifted the momentum, and Betis nearly took the lead before the interval when Cardoso found himself with another golden opportunity, only for Courtois to intervene with a crucial save, diving low to his left to preserve the 1-1 scoreline at halftime. The Belgian goalkeeper’s heroics kept Madrid in contention, but the seeds of vulnerability had been sown, hinting at the challenges that awaited in the second half as Betis grew in confidence and conviction.
The turning point arrived nine minutes after the break, when Real Madrid’s defensive resolve faltered under mounting pressure from a resurgent Betis. Antonio Rüdiger, typically a pillar of stability, misjudged his challenge on Jesús Rodriguez inside the penalty area, conceding a foul that left the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Up stepped Isco, the man who had once dazzled in the white of Real Madrid, now tasked with punishing his former employers. With the composure of a seasoned veteran, he dispatched the penalty with precision, sending Courtois the wrong way and handing Betis a 2-1 lead that sent the Benito Villamarín into raptures. The goal was a poignant moment for Isco, who later reflected on his complex emotions: "I am always grateful to Madrid for having helped me fulfil all the dreams a child has and I will always have Madrid in my heart." His illustrious tenure at the club—marked by five Champions League triumphs, three LaLiga titles, and a Copa del Rey—lent an extra layer of significance to his match-winning contribution, a testament to his enduring quality despite his departure. For Madrid, the concession of the penalty exposed cracks in their game plan, and Ancelotti responded by introducing Arda Güler and Endrick in a bid to inject vitality into a faltering attack. However, Betis’ backline, marshaled superbly and bolstered by goalkeeper Adrián’s late denial of Vinicius Jr., stood resolute, repelling Madrid’s increasingly desperate forays forward and preserving their slender advantage as the clock ticked down.
In the aftermath, Isco’s candid assessment of the match underscored Betis’ tactical evolution over the 90 minutes. "We started off a bit off the pace, letting them play too much and they hurt us. But the team improved halfway through the first half," he told Movistar, acknowledging Madrid’s early superiority and Betis’ subsequent adjustment. The 32-year-old’s man-of-the-match performance was a fitting reward for a player who had weathered a sluggish start to the season to rediscover his form, his intelligence and guile proving decisive against a side he once called home. For Real Madrid, the defeat was a sobering reminder of the fine margins in LaLiga, their inability to capitalize on early dominance leaving them vulnerable to Betis’ resurgence. Ancelotti’s side had entered the match with designs on overtaking Barcelona, but instead found themselves at the mercy of Atletico Madrid’s result later that evening, their title aspirations hanging in the balance. Betis, meanwhile, celebrated a statement victory that not only bolstered their European ambitions but also affirmed their capacity to compete with Spain’s elite. As the dust settled, the focus shifted to Sunday’s clash between Barcelona and Real Sociedad, where the Catalan giants would seek to reclaim sole possession of first place, while Atletico Madrid prepared to seize their own opportunity against Athletic Club, ensuring that the LaLiga title race remained as unpredictable and enthralling as ever.
