Madrid began the game strongly at Estadio Benito Villamarin, striking first in the tenth minute through Brahim Diaz. However, Betis responded emphatically, handing Madrid a costly defeat in their title pursuit.
Isco, a former Madrid player who spent nearly a decade at the Bernabeu, played a key role in the comeback. His well-placed corner allowed Johnny Cardoso to head home the equalizer just before halftime, shifting momentum in Betis’ favor.
He sprinted away and executed a knee-slide in front of the home crowd, an emotional gesture that drew mixed reactions. While it wasn’t overtly provocative, his deep connection with Madrid made it a talking point.
The pivotal moment came in the 54th minute when Antonio Rudiger’s foul on Jesus Rodriguez led to a penalty. Isco stepped up confidently, sending the ball into the net and sparking wild celebrations among the Betis supporters.
After the match, Isco, who shared a warm embrace with Carlo Ancelotti, addressed his former club’s supporters. “I apologize to Real Madrid fans for my celebration,” he stated. “I will always be grateful to Real Madrid—they are in my heart.”
The defeat left Madrid third in La Liga, level on points with Barcelona and two behind leaders Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Betis moved up to sixth, bolstering their hopes of European qualification.
Ancelotti admitted the result was a major setback and criticized his team’s inconsistency. “We started well but lost control. Betis deserved the win,” he said. Looking ahead to their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, he added, “If we play like this, we won’t win. Hopefully, this loss wakes us up.”