Isco scored from the penalty spot as Real Betis beat Feyenoord 1-0 at La Cartuja to make it three wins from three in the Champions League. Betis captain Isco became the first player in club history to score in consecutive Champions League matches for the Seville side.
Seville, Spain: Betis arrived at La Cartuja after a 5-2 league defeat by Barcelona. They left with a result built on patience and one decisive moment.
A guarded first hour
The first hour offered little to separate the sides. Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis looked to Isco, the captain, for creativity, with Abde Ezzalzouli and Antony on the flanks, and the match stayed goalless until the 59th minute.
The handball and the penalty
The breakthrough came in the 59th minute. Abde’s cross struck the arm of Feyenoord defender Jeremiah St. Juste, and the referee awarded a penalty. Isco took it himself and converted, just as he had from the spot in the 3-2 win over Porto a week earlier.
Betis hold on
Feyenoord pushed on with attacking substitutions in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser. Betis defended the lead to the end.
The win lifted Betis to nine points from three matches on their return to the Champions League, level on points with Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Real Madrid. UEFA named Isco its player of the match, and the penalty made him the first Betis player to score in consecutive Champions League games.
Result: Real Betis 1, Feyenoord 0 (UEFA Champions League league phase, Matchday 3, La Cartuja, Seville). Real Betis: Isco (59′ pen). UEFA player of the match: Isco (Real Betis).
