Seville’s La Cartuja carried Real Betis through another European night as Isco’s second-half penalty earned a 1-0 win over Feyenoord and preserved the Andalusian club’s perfect opening to the Champions League league phase.
Key takeaways
- Betis have taken nine points from their first three Champions League matches, after earlier victories over Lille and Porto.
- Isco converted from the spot in the 60th minute after Abde’s attempted cross struck the hand of Feyenoord defender Justin Bijlow St. Juste.
- The result places Manuel Pellegrini’s side firmly in the race for the top eight and leaves progression into the top 24 close at hand.
- Betis outshot the Dutch visitors 23-12 and put 10 attempts on target, although Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Ernst made several important saves.
- Feyenoord enjoyed more of the ball overall but could register only two shots on target at La Cartuja.
Isco finds the opening in a tense Seville contest
Betis began in front of a full La Cartuja with the initiative, working the ball through Isco, Antony and Abde while Feyenoord settled into a compact defensive shape. The hosts created the earlier openings: Abde flicked a Fornals delivery towards goal, Antony tested Ernst after a cleared cross, and Parrott was denied in the clearest first-half moment when the goalkeeper saved his effort before stopping Isco from turning in the rebound.
Ernst was central to Feyenoord’s resistance before the interval. He pushed away a well-placed long-range strike from Marc Bartra and dealt with efforts from Abde and Antony, while Betis repeatedly found visiting defenders in the way of their deliveries.
Feyenoord nevertheless had their own warning signs. Valles saved Hadj Moussa’s curling shot, and Zechiël wasted the visitors’ best first-half chance when he sent Javi López’s low cross over from close range. Moussa remained Feyenoord’s most threatening outlet, repeatedly carrying the ball past Fran García and prompting Betis to defend deeper after the break.
The decisive moment arrived two minutes before the hour. Abde sent a driven ball into the area and it struck St. Juste’s hand. Referee Simone Sozza immediately pointed to the spot, with Daniele Chiffi on VAR duty, and Isco calmly wrong-footed Ernst to break the deadlock.
Feyenoord appealed for a penalty of their own later in the half after Read went down following contact from Abde, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded it. The match was also briefly paused around the 65th minute because of an issue in the stands, before UEFA officials allowed play to continue.
Betis withstand the Rotterdam response
Pellegrini’s team had to protect their narrow advantage rather than extend it. The Dutch side increased their possession and searched for spaces through Hadj Moussa, Read and Targhalline, while Bartra made a crucial intervention to block a dangerous cross from the latter. Valles was nearly caught out while clearing a Feyenoord corner, but Betis eventually cleared the scramble.
The home coach refreshed his side with Riquelme and Ceballos replacing Fornals and Antony in the 63rd minute. Deossa and Lo Celso then came on for Parrott and Isco, while Ortiz replaced Bellerín. Feyenoord introduced Watanabe and Diarra for St. Juste and Vanhoutte, later sending on Steijn for Valente and Van den Elshout for Targhalline.
Betis still found opportunities to finish the game. Riquelme’s effort was gathered by Ernst, Bartra forced another save with a volley, and Deossa dragged a late shot narrowly past the post in stoppage time. At the other end, Riquelme cleared a threatening final move involving Hadj Moussa as Feyenoord pressed for an equaliser.
The final numbers reflected Betis’ greater volume of attacking work: 47 per cent possession, 23 shots and 10 on target, alongside four corners. Feyenoord had 53 per cent possession, 12 attempts and two shots on target, with four corners of their own. Mika Mármol and Vanhoutte were booked for the visitors, while Riquelme received Betis’ only yellow card.
Betis had entered the evening without Firpo, Cucho Hernández and Losada, while Feyenoord were missing Beelen, Bos, Moder, Nelson, Nieuwkoop, Smal and Van Persie. Those absences did not prevent a demanding contest, but La Cartuja ultimately saw a third successive continental win—and a historic nine-point start for Pellegrini’s side.
