Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit.
Los Blancos took the lead in the 10th minute of the contest, with Brahim Diaz finding the back of the net after smart work from Kylian Mbappe and then Ferland Mendy, who came up with the assist.
However, Johnny Cardoso headed a corner from Isco into the back of the net to level the scores in the latter stages of the first period, before Real Betis netted a second from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Antonio Rudiger fouled Jesus Rodriguez to give Isco the chance to find the back of the net, and the ex-Real Madrid attacker scored what proved to be the game's winning goal in Seville.
Real Madrid remain second in the La Liga table, level on points with leaders Barcelona, who now have a game in hand, while the victory has moved Real Betis into sixth spot in the division, two points ahead of seventh-placed Rayo Vallecano.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Just two attempts on target from Real Madrid is an indication of their struggles in this match, while they only had nine shots in total, with Real Betis the dominant outfit in that department, managing 18 goal attempts.
This was a hugely underwhelming performance from Carlo Ancelotti's side, who missed Jude Bellingham's power from a deeper area, while Vinicius Junior, Mbappe and Rodrygo also had disappointing matches in Seville.
So much credit has to go to Real Betis, though, with the Green and Whites fully deserving of what is a huge result in the context of their season, with Pellegrini's team now in sixth spot in the table.
Real Madrid remain second for now, but they could be three points off the summit by the end of the weekend, with this result hugely beneficial to title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos now need to pick themselves up for a Champions League last-16 first leg against Atletico, and the supporters will be demanding a response after watching their side suffer a fourth league defeat of the 2024-25 campaign.
REAL BETIS VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Brahim Diaz goal vs. Real Betis (10th min, Real Betis 0-1 Real Madrid)
Real Madrid take the lead in the 10th minute of the contest, as Diaz fires into the back of the net from close range following an excellent move involving Mbappe and Mendy, with the latter delivering into the Morocco international to convert.
34th min: Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid (Johnny Cardoso)
Real Betis level the scores in the 34th minute of the contest, as Cardoso heads a corner from Isco into the back of the Real Madrid goal - incredibly straightforward equaliser for the home side here.
54th min: Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid (Isco, penalty)
Real Betis take the lead in the 54th minute of the contest, with Isco scoring from the penalty spot after Rodriguez had been fouled by Rudiger inside the box; Pellegrini's side have turned this around on home soil.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ISCO
Isco has always been a class act, but this was one of the Spaniard's best performances for Real Betis, and the fact that it came against his former club makes it even more special for the playmaker.
The 32-year-old provided the assist for Cardoso to make it 1-1, before scoring the winner from the penalty spot, while he finished with a pass success rate of 90% during an excellent performance in Seville.
REAL BETIS VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Real Betis 41%-59% Real Madrid
Shots: Real Betis 18-9 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Real Betis 3-2 Real Madrid
Corners: Real Betis 9-2 Real Madrid
Fouls: Real Betis 17-12 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Real Madrid's attention will now switch to the Champions League, preparing to welcome Atletico for the first leg of their last-16 affair on Tuesday night, before returning to La Liga action at home to Rayo Vallecano next Sunday.
Real Betis, meanwhile, will welcome Vitoria de Guimaraes on Thursday night for the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Conference League, before returning to league action with a home fixture against Las Palmas next Sunday.
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