Betis leap above Real Madrid as Parrott makes late cameo

In the 81st minute, TROY PARROTT entered the field as an 81st‑minute substitute, joining veteran Isco in a 5‑2 victory that lifted Real Betis back into third place in La Liga on Sunday.

Parrott's late cameo

Parrott replaced Cucho Hernández with Betis already 4‑2 ahead, having been rested after starting all four of Ireland’s Nations League matches during the international break. The Dubliner’s brief cameo added fresh legs but did not alter the scoreline, confirming his role as a squad player rather than a decisive factor.

Betis surge in La Liga

Betis’ win moved them a point above Real Madrid, who sit fourth and level with second‑place Atlético Madrid, while the Catalan giants remain five points clear at the summit. Manuel Pellegrini’s side recorded their sixth league win from eight matches, playing at La Cartuja stadium while the Benito Villamarín ground undergoes renovation expected in 2028.

Isco, the 34‑year‑old former Real Madrid midfielder, struck twice – first from the penalty spot after a foul on Rodrigo Riquelme and later capitalising on a loose ball. Ez Abde added a cool finish before half‑time, and Ante Budimir’s own goal gave Betis a third before the Croatian striker restored his own tally.

Pépé misses weeks, leaves Villarreal winger-less in Champions League

Betis now face a busy spell, with a Champions League home tie against Porto on Wednesday and a clash with Barcelona the following weekend, both fixtures promising further tests for Pellegrini’s squad.

Other La Liga action

Barcelona extended their perfect start with a 3‑0 win over Getafe, while Atlético Madrid secured a 2‑1 victory at Alavés. Real Madrid scraped a 1‑0 win at Villarreal despite Vinícius Júnior’s red card for hair‑pulling. In San Sebastián, Real Sociedad edged Deportivo La Coruña 3‑2, with a red card for Pablo Marín and a penalty by Yeremay Hernández.

Italian Serie A roundup

Lazio drew level on points with Inter Milan after a 3‑1 triumph over Monza, despite ongoing fan protests against owner Claudio Lotito that have left the Stadio Olimpico sparsely attended. Roma’s 0‑0 draw with Como featured a red card for Donyell Malen, while AC Milan were held 1‑1 by Sassuolo.

Betis extend unbeaten run ahead of clash with Porto

The story appears on the platform that groups Soccer, LOI, Rugby, Golf, Racing, Horse, Boxing, Motorsport, Athletics, NFL and NBA under the Upgrade subscription, offering Live Video Review and Podcasts. Readers can See More Stories in the Sport Extra Football Family section, with the accompanying image supplied by Alamy Stock Photo.