Isco’s second-half penalty secured a third straight Champions League victory for Real Betis, lifting the Spanish club to nine points after three matches.
Real Betis maintained its perfect start to the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Feyenoord on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Spain. Captain Isco converted a second-half penalty to secure the Spanish club’s third consecutive win in Europe’s leading club competition.
The decisive goal came in the 59th minute after a Feyenoord handball inside the penalty area. Isco calmly sent goalkeeper Tjark Ernst the wrong way, placing his shot inside the right post to give Betis a lead it would protect until the final whistle.
The victory moved Manuel Pellegrini’s team to nine points from three matches, placing Betis fifth in the 36-team league phase standings. The Spanish side entered the contest after consecutive 3-2 victories over Lille and Porto.
Feyenoord, meanwhile, failed to build on its recent victory over Como and suffered its second defeat of the European campaign. Despite enjoying slightly more possession, the Dutch club struggled to convert its attacking opportunities into clear chances.
Betis Creates Chances in a Scoreless First Half
The match began with Feyenoord looking comfortable in possession as both teams attempted to establish control in midfield. Betis gradually increased its attacking pressure through Antony, Abde Ezzalzouli and Pablo Fornals.
Feyenoord defender Mika Mármol received a yellow card in the 14th minute for a foul on Antony. The booking reflected the growing pressure on the visitors as Betis attempted to exploit space along the wings.
Antony repeatedly looked for opportunities to create chances from the right side, while Ezzalzouli provided another attacking option on the opposite flank. Their movement helped Betis stretch Feyenoord’s defense and create openings around the penalty area.
Irish international Troy Parrott, who had scored the winning goal against Lille earlier in the competition, led the attack for Pellegrini’s side. He produced one of the best opportunities of the first half after Betis capitalized on careless passing by Feyenoord.
Parrott received the ball in a promising position and moved inside a defender before shooting directly at Ernst. The goalkeeper made the save, denying Betis an early advantage.
Feyenoord continued trying to establish its own attacking rhythm through Anis Hadj Moussa, Nacho Ferri and Luciano Valente. However, the visitors had difficulty producing the final pass needed to seriously threaten goalkeeper Álvaro Vallés.
Betis controlled several dangerous attacking sequences but was unable to find the breakthrough before halftime. The teams entered the interval level at 0-0, leaving the outcome dependent on which side could make better use of its second-half opportunities.
Isco Converts the Decisive Penalty
The second half continued with Betis applying pressure as Feyenoord attempted to defend its penalty area and find opportunities on the counterattack. The breakthrough arrived shortly before the hour mark following an attacking move down the left flank.
A dangerous cross struck the arm of Feyenoord defender Jeremiah St. Juste inside the penalty area. Referee Simone Sozza awarded Betis a penalty, presenting Isco with the opportunity to break the deadlock.
The experienced midfielder stepped forward and converted confidently in the 59th minute. Ernst moved in the opposite direction, leaving the goalkeeper unable to stop the shot.
The goal gave Isco another decisive contribution in the Champions League after his late winner against Porto in the previous match. His ability to deliver in important moments has been a valuable asset for Pellegrini during Betis’ European campaign.
Rather than opening the game completely, the goal encouraged Feyenoord to press forward while Betis looked for opportunities to extend its advantage. The visitors remained within striking distance but struggled to create sustained pressure in the final third.
Pellegrini made two substitutions in the 64th minute, introducing Dani Ceballos for Fornals and Rodrigo Riquelme for Antony. Those changes helped refresh Betis’ midfield and attacking options as the contest entered its final half-hour.
Feyenoord also turned to its bench, bringing on Gaoussou Diarra and Tsuyoshi Watanabe in the 79th minute. Betis responded with further changes, including the introduction of Giovani Lo Celso and Nelson Deossa.
The substitutions gave both teams fresh players for the closing stages, but neither side managed to produce another goal.
Betis Makes Its Attacking Advantage Count
Although Feyenoord finished with 53 percent possession, Betis created substantially more opportunities. Match statistics recorded 23 shots for the Spanish club compared with 12 for the visitors.
Betis also registered 10 efforts on target, while Feyenoord managed only two. The difference illustrated how effectively Pellegrini’s team converted possession in dangerous areas into attacking chances.
Ernst played an important role in preventing a larger defeat. The Feyenoord goalkeeper made several saves, including a late stop against Ezzalzouli in the 88th minute.
Betis also had opportunities to increase its lead as the match approached stoppage time. However, the hosts were unable to find a second goal despite repeatedly threatening the Feyenoord defense.
The Dutch side attempted to produce an equalizer through crosses and late attacking substitutions. Its inability to test Vallés consistently ultimately prevented it from taking anything from the contest.
Deossa came close to adding another goal for Betis during stoppage time, sending a left-footed attempt narrowly wide following a counterattack. The miss did not affect the final result as the home team completed its third consecutive Champions League victory.
An Impressive Return to Europe’s Top Competition
Betis’ unbeaten opening represents a significant development for a club making its first Champions League appearance since the 2005-06 season. During that earlier campaign, the Spanish side recorded two victories in six group matches.
Under Pellegrini, Betis has approached this campaign with an attacking style supported by experienced midfielders and players capable of producing decisive moments. Its first two matches demonstrated that attacking potential, although both victories required overcoming determined opposition.
The campaign began with a 3-2 away victory against Lille on September 8. Parrott scored the decisive goal, giving Betis a successful start away from home.
The Spanish club followed that result with another 3-2 win against Porto on October 14. Isco scored late in that match to secure the victory, setting the stage for his second consecutive Champions League winner against Feyenoord.
Wednesday’s success was different because Betis did not need three goals to secure the points. Its defense produced a clean sheet, while Isco’s penalty proved sufficient to separate the teams.
The result gave Betis seven goals scored and four conceded through its first three league-phase matches. With nine points available from nine, the club remains in a strong position as it pursues qualification for the knockout rounds.
Feyenoord Faces a Difficult Road Ahead
Feyenoord entered the match with three points following a mixed opening to its European campaign. The Dutch side had suffered a 5-1 defeat against Barcelona before responding with a 3-2 victory over Como.
Its performance in Seville demonstrated both defensive resilience and attacking limitations. Ernst’s saves kept the score close, but the team’s inability to finish promising moves prevented it from earning an equalizer.
The defeat leaves Feyenoord needing improved results during the remaining league-phase fixtures. Its next Champions League match is scheduled for November 3 against Inter, another demanding opponent.
Betis faces Borussia Dortmund away from home on November 4 in its next European fixture. That contest will offer Pellegrini’s side another opportunity to build on its perfect record against a major continental opponent.
The Champions League league phase runs through January 27, 2027, with each of the 36 participating clubs playing eight matches. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing ninth through 24th enter the knockout phase playoffs.
For Betis, Wednesday’s victory delivered more than three additional points. It reinforced the club’s impressive return to the competition and kept its qualification campaign firmly on course after three matches.
IMAGE: Source Own work Author LuisMora4B C4