\u201cIt takes so much work to win games, against Madrid, who have so many options, it\u2019s very hard,\u201d says Isco
\n SEVILLE
\nReal Madrid\u2019s hopes of retaining their La Liga title took a hit on Saturday as they fell 2-1 to Real Betis, with former player Isco sealing the win from the penalty spot.
\nIsco 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.
\nAtletico Madrid, third, host Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday and can move top with a victory.
\nThe visitors took the lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium through Brahim Diaz, but Betis struck back with a Johnny Cardoso header.
\nIsco secured the Andalusian side a deserved victory with a penalty early in the second half.
\n\u201cI\u2019m dead… it takes so much work to win games, against Madrid, who have so many options, it\u2019s very hard,\u201d an exhausted Isco told Movistar.
\n\u201cAbout halfway through the first half we stepped up our game, and I\u2019m happy with the win against the best team around these days.\u201d
\nIsco returned to action in December after missing several months with a broken leg.
\nThe 32-year-old playmaker said he always has \u201cMadrid in my heart\u201d after winning several major trophies with the Spanish giants before departing in 2022.
\nReal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong line-up, with no breathing room in the title race, despite Tuesday\u2019s impending Champions League clash against city rivals Atletico.
\nMadrid started the stronger and opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, putting together a fine team move with 19 passes before Diaz tucked home.
\nKylian Mbappe sliced open the Betis defence with a ball to Ferland Mendy in front of goal, and the defender squared for Diaz to convert.
\nBetis found their footing, and neither team was able to create danger until the hosts levelled midway through the first half.
\nCardoso powered a header past Thibaut Courtois from Isco\u2019s corner after escaping the attention of Madrid\u2019s defence.
\nManchester United winger Antony, on loan at Betis, was sent off last weekend, but his red card was revoked, enabling him to face Madrid, and he was increasingly involved.
\nCourtois pulled off a superb save after a ball bounced towards his goal off the back of Aurelien Tchouameni.
\nMadrid began to lose the ball frequently and missed the suspended Jude Bellingham\u2019s dynamism in midfield.
\nBetis were in the ascendancy 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.
\nIsco, enjoying a renaissance at Betis, smashed home from the spot against his former side for his sixth goal across all competitions.
\nTchouameni was fortunate to get away with clipping Ricardo Rodriguez inside Madrid\u2019s area, and Cucho Hernandez dragged a shot wide of Courtois\u2019 far post when well placed.
\nFor 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.
\nEndrick fired wide, and Betis goalkeeper Adrian kept out a stinging drive from range by Vinicius as Madrid came up short.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cIt takes so much work to win games, against Madrid, who have so many options, it\u2019s very hard,\u201d says Isco SEVILLE Real Madrid\u2019s hopes of retaining their La Liga title took a hit on Saturday as they fell 2-1 to Real Betis, with former player Isco sealing the win from the penalty spot. Isco scored […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":464828,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-464786","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n