Betis were on the front foot early and got their reward from the spot on 10 minutes. Rodrigo Riquelme drew the penalty and Isco converted low to the left for 1-0. The hosts controlled the first half with 58% possession and an xG of 1.91 to 0.30. Corners finished 6-1 before the break, which matched the territorial picture. Osasuna had moments, but Álvaro Valles dealt with what came his way.

The second goal reflected Betis’ clean build-up and wide threat. Cucho Hernández slid a clever pass into the box and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli finished calmly for 2-0 on 31 minutes. Betis entered halftime with a cushion and the better numbers in shots on target, 4-2. Osasuna’s Unai Santos had a difficult first half, conceding the penalty and picking up a yellow card. The flow suited Manuel Pellegrini’s 4-2-3-1, which kept finding pockets between the lines.

A wild restart, a firm response

The second half began with chaos on the scoreboard. An Ante Budimir own goal at 48 minutes made it 3-0 to Betis from a set play. Budimir immediately responded at the right end, pulling one back on 51 minutes after Rubén García’s assist. A minute later, VAR ruled out another Budimir effort, keeping the gap at two. Osasuna still had joy from restarts and crosses.

On 56 minutes, Raúl García de Haro made it 3-2, meeting Alejandro Catena’s delivery with a tidy finish. Betis steadied and Isco restored daylight at 67 minutes with a left-foot strike high to the keeper’s left. The closing spell brought cards and stoppages, including a Lucas Torró booking at 64 minutes and a Valentin Rosier yellow late on. Osasuna lost Raúl García de Haro to injury at 79 minutes, which blunted their target play. Betis then signed off in added time as substitute José Morante arrived to sweep in a fifth, assisted by Héctor Bellerín, at 90+6.

What the stats say

Across 90 minutes, Betis had 52% possession and out-shot Osasuna 20-11. The hosts led 7-5 in shots on target and posted an xG of 2.76 to Osasuna’s 1.51. Touches in the opposition box read 29-16, and corners finished 8-4, both reinforcing Betis’ territory. Osasuna actually won more duels overall, 53% to 46%, and completed more successful dribbles, 8 of 17 to Betis’ 5 of 17. The difference came in execution in the area and the quality of chances created.

Defensively, Betis’ tackle efficiency was outstanding. They won 93% of their tackles compared to Osasuna’s 47%. Osasuna made 30 clearances to Betis’ 13, a sign of sustained pressure. Passing volume was close, 495-459, with Betis completing 450 and hitting 70 final-third entries to 60. On crosses, Betis were 6 of 23 while Osasuna were 3 of 19. In goal, Valles recorded 3 saves and a positive goals prevented value of 0.22, while Aitor Fernández also made 3 saves but posted -1.69 on goals prevented, underlining the shot quality Betis produced.

MVP: Isco’s class in numbers

Isco was the game’s standout and earned an 8.4 Sofascore Rating for a near-complete attacking display. He scored twice, including a precise penalty and a clean open-play finish that halted Osasuna’s momentum. Beyond the goals, he attempted six shots and hit four on target, a constant threat from the left half-space. His chance creation matched the finishing, with three key passes that kept Betis moving. He also contributed five ball recoveries and stayed switched on out of possession.

Distribution was crisp and purposeful. Isco completed 41 of 43 passes, including 3 of 3 long balls, and totaled 66 touches in 74 minutes. His xG landed at 1.76 with xGOT at 2.30, showing both volume and shot quality. He sent in six crosses, two of which connected, and carried the ball into useful areas to advance play. It was the blend of control, timing and end product that separated him on a pitch with plenty of strong performers.