Isco double lifts Betis to third after seven-goal clash with Osasuna

Real Betis climbed to third in La Liga with a 5-2 victory over Osasuna on Sunday, as two goals from Isco helped them overcome a second-half scare at the Benito Villamarin. The result took Betis to 19 points from eight matches, five behind leaders Barcelona and one ahead of Real Madrid.

A match that appeared firmly in the home side’s hands became considerably less comfortable when Osasuna cut a three-goal deficit to just one. Isco’s second strike restored breathing space before Jose Antonio Morante marked his La Liga debut with a goal deep into stoppage time.

For Betis, the final margin reflected their ability to respond after the visitors threatened to overturn a commanding advantage. For Osasuna, a brief revival ended in defeat, leaving them 16th and among eight teams on eight points.

Isco puts Betis in control

Isco gave the hosts an early platform by converting a penalty in the 10th minute. Abde Ezzalzouli then doubled their advantage before the interval, finishing a move that began with Betis recovering possession high up the pitch and breaking quickly.

The second goal ensured Betis reached half-time with a two-goal cushion, and their position strengthened almost immediately after the restart. Diego Llorente scored three minutes into the second half to put the hosts 3-0 ahead.

At that stage, Osasuna faced a substantial task simply to get back into contention. Yet the visitors transformed the match with two goals in quick succession, Ante Budimir and Raul Garcia bringing the score to 3-2 by the 56th minute.

That burst changed the significance of Betis’s next goal. Rather than merely extending an already comfortable lead, it would re-establish a measure of security after Osasuna had brought themselves within reach of an equaliser.