Real Madrid, the reigning champion of the La Liga, lost 2-1 to Real Betis on Saturday to end their title defense.
Isco scored the winning penalty kick for his former side, who are now level on points with Barcelona when Real Sociedad travels to Barcelona on Sunday.
Third-place Atletico Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday for the title and can win.
Brahim Diaz gave the visitors the lead at the Benito Villamarin stadium, but Betis responded with a Johnny Cardoso header.
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Isco scored a penalty early in the second half to give the Andalusian side a deserved victory.
Isco, who is exhausted, told Movistar, “I’m dead… it’s very difficult to win games against Madrid, who have so many options.”
“We upped our game about halfway through the first half, and I’m pleased that we won against the best team of the day.”
Isco, who had been out of action for a number of months with a broken leg, returned to active duty in December.
After winning numerous major awards with the Spanish giants before leaving in 2022, the 32-year-old playmaker said he always has “Madrid in my heart.”
Despite Tuesday’s impending Champions League match against city rivals Atletico, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti chose a strong lineup with no room for improvement in the title race.
After just 10 minutes, Madrid put together a strong team move, scoring with 19 passes before Diaz slotted home.
Ferland Mendy squared for Diaz to convert after Kylian Mbappe cut open the Betis defense with a pass to Ferland Mendy in front of goal.
Before the hosts’ midway through the first half, Betis found their footing, and neither team was able to pose a threat.
After escaping the defense’s attention, Cardoso fired a header past Thibaut Courtois from Isco’s corner.
Antony, a loan winger for Manchester United at Betis, was sent off last weekend when his red card was revoked, giving him the opportunity to face Madrid and becoming more active.
After Aurelien Tchouameni’s ball scurried directly into his goal, Courtois made a fantastic save.
Madrid began to lose possession of the ball frequently, and they lacked Jude Bellingham’s midfield dynamism, which was suspended.
Antonio Rudiger hit Jesus Rodriguez as he ran in on goal, and Betis were in the ascendancy and opened the scoring shortly after.
Isco scored from the spot against his former team for his sixth goal in every competition, enjoying a renaissance at Betis.
Tchouameni was fortunate to escape inside Madrid’s penalty area, and Cucho Hernandez dragged a shot wide of Courtois’ far post with good placement.
Endrick, a Brazilian teenager, was tapped in the Copa del Rey goal midway through the final 15 minutes to take the place of Mbappe, who had dental issues prior to the game.
As Madrid struggled, Endrick fired wide, and Betis goalkeeper Adrian prevented a vinicius-firing stinging drive from range.
Source: Channels TV
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