Isco's Betis upset Liga champions Real Madrid / Photo: CRISTINA QUICLER - AFP
-
UN to hold fourth informal poll of secretary-general candidates
-
UN Security Council extends Haiti anti-gang force by 6 months
-
Who are the Emiratis behind crisis-hit Manchester City?
-
Manchester City guilty of Premier League charges: What comes next?
-
Singer Angelique Kidjo urges Africans to 'create together'
-
Man City chief Soriano slams Premier League 'conspiracy theory'
-
Alleged Rihanna mansion shooter mentally fit for trial, says judge
-
Hurricane Polo sweeps over Mexico's Pacific coast
-
Mystery over UK airbase scare as police find petrol not explosives
-
Man City must be relegated after guilty verdict says club's former chairman
-
OpenAI unveils low-cost AI model, a day after shelving Astra upgrade
-
German far-right aims to lead Saxony-Anhalt govt in December
-
Premier League confirms Man City guilty of serious financial breaches
-
Little damage as Hurricane Polo sweeps over Mexico's Pacific coast
-
Brazil's Lula turns to Bad Bunny tune to criticise Trump ahead of polls
-
Manchester City guilty of breaking financial rules - Premier League
-
Nigerian dancer eyes world record after seven-day marathon
-
FIFA boss Infantino blasted as would-be 'emperor' by UEFA's Ceferin
-
Swiss regulator concludes Julius Baer bank probe
-
Stocks move lower despite oil prices dropping
-
Brazil's patron saint pulled into latest election scrap
-
AI driving up innovation investment: UN
-
Football overload leaves players near 'breaking point', warns Tebas
-
UN Security Council extends Haiti mission by 6 months
-
Paris Eiffel Tower says chief to step down after uproar over removing women staff
-
Man Utd do not deserve medals if Man City stripped of titles: Rooney
-
Amaze Holdings (NYSE: AMZE) Executes Binding LOI to Acquire BullionFX | Alchemy, a Decentralized Gold-Backed Financial Ecosystem for Valued at US$155 Million
-
Vana Completes Expanded Staking as Part of the Vega Upgrade, Publishes Expanded VANA Token Economics
-
Clashes between French teens, police as school blockades intensify
-
Spain to cap gas price hikes, extend fuel discounts
-
Stocks move sideways despite oil moving lower
-
'We just need rain': Germany's Rhine river hits new low
-
African leaders to gather in Egypt for business summit
-
Yemen health system at 'breaking point': WHO
-
UK decides against charging foreign visitors for museums
-
Ireland undecided on second Israel match: coach
-
Dallaglio to sell England World Cup winners' medal
-
France's Le Pen defiant after top ally hit by antisemitism claims
-
Brazil come from behind to beat Australia 4-2 in friendly
-
Tom Cruise trades stunts for satire as toxic tycoon 'Digger'
-
Ruthless An retains Asian Games badminton crown as Kunlavut triumphs
-
MEXC Unveils "WE SEE YOU" Brand Visual Refresh, Putting People Behind Every Trade in Focus
-
Alonso to stay with F1 team Aston Martin in 2027
-
Thai capital cleans up after deadly floods
-
China badminton 'still strong' despite Asian Games slump
-
NATO, EU allies rally to Estonia after 'sabotage' blamed on Russia
-
'Exceptional' Turner painting shown in Rome before sale
-
Families demand justice for Cameroon's 'nightmare' wave of murdered women
-
European stocks climb as oil dips
-
Tebas says Man City should face 'most severe' sanctions if guilty of rule breaches
Isco's Betis upset Liga champions Real Madrid
La Liga champions Real Madrid suffered a dent to their title defence with a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis on Saturday.
Isco scored the winner from the penalty spot against his former side, who are level on points with league leaders Barcelona, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid, third, host Athletic Bilbao later Saturday and can move top with a victory.
The visitors took the lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium through Brahim Diaz but Betis struck back with a Johnny Cardoso header.
Isco secured the Andalusian side a deserved victory with a penalty early in the second half.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong line up, with no breathing room in the title race, despite Tuesday's impending Champions League clash against city rivals Atletico.
Madrid started the stronger and opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, putting together a fine team move with 19 passes before Diaz tucked home.
Kylian Mbappe sliced open the Betis defence with a ball to Ferland Mendy in front of goal and the defender squared for Diaz to convert.
Betis found their footing and neither team were able to create danger until the hosts levelled midway through the first half.
Cardoso powered a header past Thibaut Courtois from Isco's corner after escaping the attention of Madrid's defence.
Manchester United winger Antony, on loan at Betis, was sent off last weekend but his red card was revoked enabling him to face Madrid and he was increasingly involved.
Courtois pulled off a superb save after a ball bounced towards his goal off the back of Aurelien Tchouameni.
Betis were in the ascendency and took the lead early in the second half from the penalty spot when Antonio Rudiger crashed into Jesus Rodriguez as he ran in on goal.
Isco, enjoying a renaissance at Betis, smashed home from the spot against his former side for his sixth goal across all competitions.
Tchouameni was fortunate to get away with clipping Ricardo Rodriguez inside Madrid's area and Cucho Hernandez dragged a shot wide of Courtois' far post when well placed.
For the final 15 minutes, Ancelotti replaced Mbappe, who had dental trouble ahead of the game, with Brazilian teenager Endrick who had scored in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Endrick fired wide and Betis goalkeeper Adrian kept out a stinging drive from range by Vinicius as Madrid came up short.
F.Pedersen--AMWN
