Real Betis' Spanish midfielder #22 Isco celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish league footbal match between Real Betis and Real Madrid CF at Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville on March 1, 2025. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP)
Seville: 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.
"I'm dead... it takes so much work to win games, against Madrid, who have so many options, it's very hard," an exhausted Isco told Movistar.
"About halfway through the first half we stepped up our game, and I'm happy with the win against the best team around these days."
Isco returned to action in December after missing several months with a broken leg.
The 32-year-old playmaker said he always has "Madrid in my heart" after winning several major trophies with the Spanish giants before departing in 2022.
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.
