Madrid leaves Betis's field scalded

BarcelonaReal Madrid have been defeated at Betis (2-1), a result that opens the door for Barça to consolidate their first position in La Liga if they beat Real Sociedad (this Sunday at 16.15 CET). The Whites took the lead with a goal from Brahim Díaz in the first half, but Cardozo and Isco turned the score around from a penalty. It was a game where Isco prevailed over Modric, in the duel of veteran midfielders.

Carlo Ancelotti has made rotations, conditioned by the important absences of Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham, the two players who cover the most kilometres in defensive tasks in each game, as well as Dani Ceballos. But Madrid started strongly, with Mbappé very electric. When Brahim scored with an assist from Vinícius, it was not a surprise. But Betis gradually grew, with two chances before Johnny Cardoso's header equalised.

Real Madrid already knew that to win they had to match Betis' intensity, three days before the Champions League match against Atlético de Madrid. But Isco played like an angel. Everything came from his boots; he gave meaning to each attack and saw spaces to launch precise passes when Ancelotti's team was looking for the win. Madrid could have scored with a great move by Kylian Mbappé that was resolved by Bartra, but it was Betis who scored after a serious error by Álava and Rüdiger, committing a penalty on the young Jesús Rodríguez. Isco did not fail.