Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Club: Atletico Madrid take over La Liga leadership after Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid lose

Real Madrid have stumbled in the three-way race for the Spanish league title as Isco guided Real Betis to a 2-1 comeback win over the defending champions.

The former Madrid player delivered a corner kick that was headed in by fellow midfielder Johnny Cardoso in the 34th minute on Saturday, cancelling out Brahim Diaz’s opener.

Isco then put Betis ahead from the penalty spot in the 54th after Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger knocked down Betis forward Jesus Rodriguez in the area.

Madrid’s loss left them level on points with Barcelona (54), who host Real Sociedad on Sunday.

“Madrid has the best players and a million different ways it can hurt you, so if it weren’t for the hard work of the entire team we wouldn’t have been able to do this,” Isco said, before adding that he was still “grateful” for his time at Madrid.

Atletico moved two points clear of them both at the top of the table after substitute Julian Alvarez scored to secure a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.

The Argentine scored from a pass by Marcos Llorente in the 66th after both came off the bench to help break through Athletic’s defence.

It was Alvarez’s 21st goal in all competitions since joining from Manchester City in the summer.

Fourth-placed Athletic (48) came close to an equaliser with three efforts off the woodwork, including two by Inaki Williams.

Kylian Mbappe was back starting for Madrid after missing one game because of a problem with a tooth. Coach Carlo Ancelotti substituted him with 15 minutes left, saying that his dental issue had impeded him from training properly and that his star striker “was not 100 per cent.”

“This is a hard blow, and we have to react. Today we didn’t play well,” Ancelotti added.

Madrid had led La Liga but are now struggling with just one victory in their last five rounds, and next face Atletico in Tuesday’s Champions League round-of-16 clash.

Isco left Madrid three years ago, having helped them win five Champions League titles before he lost his starting spot and then struggled to get off the bench.

But Madrid might wish they had him back after the 32-year-old midfielder was the most decisive player on the field at the Benito Villamarin.

“We went for the win and generated more scoring chances than they did,” Betis boss Manuel Pellegrini, a former Madrid coach, said.

“They played better in the first 15 minutes and deserved their goal, but from there on it was our match.”

Elsewhere, Dodi Lukebakio continued to provide a bright spot in Sevilla’s otherwise drab season by scoring his 11th league goal in the 81st minute to secure a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano, and Celta Vigo drew 2-2 at Girona.