Isco haunts Blancos with winning goal as Barcelona top LaLiga

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Real Madrid failed to overtake Barcelona at the top of LaLiga as Isco’s 54th-minute winner for Real Betis at Benito Villamarin Stadium condemned Los Blancos to a second defeat of the month.

Madrid took a 10th-minute lead when Brahim Diaz lifted a finish into the net from close range following an incisive sequence between Kylian Mbappe and Ferland Mendy, but Betis – featuring Antony after the on-loan Manchester United winger had a suspension overturned – equalised 11 minutes from half-time when Johnny Cardoso headed in Isco’s corner for the USA international’s first LaLiga goal of the season.

The reigning Spanish champions had a huge let-off when goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois clawed Cardoso’s deflected header from another Isco corner off the line during first-half added time, but fell behind nine minutes after the break when 19-year-old winger Jesus Rodriguez was grounded by Antonio Rudiger, giving Isco a chance the former Madrid player took to convert from the spot.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have played a game more than their nearest rivals and are below leaders Barcelona on goal difference, as well as a point ahead of Atletico Madrid.

Betis beat Madrid with Isco goal

Former Spain international Isco showed why he spent nine years with Madrid until 2022, winning LaLiga three times and five Champions League titles among 19 trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 32-year-old had a brief spell with Sevilla before joining Betis in 2023, and his performance was a reminder of his influence at Madrid, including 53 goals in 353 appearances.

Isco’s winner could prove a major blow to his old side’s ambitions of winning a thrillingly tight title race during the remaining 12 games of their league season.

Betis almost scored a second when Cucho Hernandez sent a shot narrowly wide midway through the second half, and Madrid replaced Mbappe – returning from a tooth operation – with 15 minutes remaining.

Real Madrid fixtures

Starting with a 1-0 defeat at Espanyol on February 1, Madrid are now winless in four LaLiga away games. Their next is at Villarreal, who are fifth and have lost only two of their 12 league home matches this season.

Atleti are at home to fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao at 8pm GMT on Saturday, with Barcelona hosting ninth-placed Real Sociedad on Sunday (3.15pm).

Champions League holders Madrid host Atleti in the first leg of the last 16 of the competition on Tuesday (8pm), then face a visit from Rayo Vallecano in the league five days later (3.15pm) before the return leg of the knockout tie on March 12 (8pm).

Betis’ second successive home win lifts them to sixth. Manuel Pellegrini’s players host Portuguese opponents Vitoria in the first leg of the Conference League round of 16 on Thursday (5.45pm).




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