.
Real Betis produced a spirited second-half comeback to defeat FC Porto 3-2 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with Isco converting a late penalty to secure a memorable victory at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville.
The Spanish side appeared to have taken control after Abde Ezzalzouli opened the scoring shortly after half-time, but Porto responded with goals from Gabri Veiga and Samu Aghehowa to turn the contest around. Betis refused to surrender, however, as Cucho Hernández equalised before Isco converted from the penalty spot to complete a dramatic turnaround.
The victory gave Manuel Pellegrini’s side their second consecutive win in the Champions League league phase and provided an unforgettable occasion for the home supporters, who had waited two decades to see their club competing in the competition again.
Porto arrived in Seville determined to disrupt Betis’ attacking rhythm, and the visitors initially appeared capable of matching their opponents in an evenly contested first half.
The Portuguese side created opportunities through their forward movement and looked dangerous whenever they managed to find space between the Betis midfield and defence. Betis, meanwhile, attempted to establish control through possession and the creativity of Isco and Antony.
An early Porto goal was ruled out following a handball offence, preventing the visitors from taking the lead and providing Betis with an important reprieve.
The hosts gradually grew into the match, with Abde Ezzalzouli emerging as one of their most dangerous attacking outlets. His pace and willingness to take on defenders repeatedly troubled Porto’s back line, although neither side managed to find the breakthrough before half-time.
The contest changed shortly after the restart when Abde produced a moment of individual brilliance to put Betis ahead in the 47th minute.
The Moroccan winger received the ball from Fran García and unleashed a superb curling effort that travelled across the goal and into the net beyond goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The finish was a stunning demonstration of technique, giving Betis a 1-0 advantage and sending the home crowd into celebration.
The goal appeared to place Betis in a strong position, but Porto responded with determination and quickly turned the contest around.
Gabri Veiga equalised in the 55th minute, making it 1-1 with a direct free-kick. The midfielder struck the ball with precision, sending it beyond the Betis defensive wall and into the net before goalkeeper Álvaro Vallés could intervene.
The equaliser shifted the momentum towards Porto, who began attacking with greater confidence and putting the hosts under increasing pressure.
Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute when Samu Aghehowa scored to give Porto a 2-1 lead.
The forward finished from close range after receiving a well-timed pass from Pepê, capitalising on the space created inside the penalty area to beat Vallés. Porto had now scored twice in quick succession, transforming a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 advantage and leaving Betis facing the prospect of a disappointing home defeat.
Pellegrini’s side needed a response, and the introduction of fresh attacking energy helped the hosts regain their attacking momentum.
Betis continued to push forward, searching for an equaliser as Porto attempted to protect their lead. Antony became increasingly influential in the final third, using his movement and ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas to trouble the visitors’ defence.
The pressure finally produced a breakthrough in the 74th minute when Cucho Hernández equalised to make it 2-2.
Antony supplied the assist, creating the opportunity for Hernández to finish from inside the penalty area. The goal restored parity and reignited the atmosphere inside La Cartuja, with Betis now sensing an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The equaliser left Porto struggling to regain the control they had established after the break. Betis continued to attack, while the visitors found themselves increasingly occupied with defending their penalty area.
The decisive moment arrived in the 82nd minute when Betis were awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
Ángel Ortiz went down inside the penalty area after a challenge from Francisco Moura. The referee initially did not award a spot-kick, but a review of the incident led to the decision being overturned, giving Betis an opportunity to take the lead.
Isco stepped forward to take responsibility from the penalty spot and delivered under pressure in the 84th minute.
The Betis captain sent the ball into the net, placing it beyond Diogo Costa, who dived in the opposite direction. The goal made it 3-2 and completed Betis’ remarkable comeback after Porto had taken a second-half lead.
The late strike transformed the closing stages into a tense battle as Porto desperately searched for another equaliser.
Betis goalkeeper Vallés became a crucial figure in the final minutes, producing an important save to deny Santi Giménez from close range. The goalkeeper then dealt with another dangerous aerial attempt from Jakub Kiwior, preserving his side’s narrow advantage.
Porto continued to push forward during stoppage time, but Betis defended resolutely as the visitors struggled to find a clear route through the home defence.
Ángel Ortiz received a yellow card in the 93rd minute as tensions rose in the closing stages, while Giménez was also booked for a foul shortly before the final whistle.
Despite Porto’s late pressure, Betis held on to secure a 3-2 victory that reflected their resilience and determination to recover after losing their advantage.
The result was particularly significant for Betis, who maintained their winning start to the Champions League league phase. Their ability to respond after Porto scored twice demonstrated the team’s attacking depth and mental strength.
Abde’s spectacular opener provided the early highlight, but Hernández’s equaliser and Isco’s penalty ultimately determined the outcome. Antony’s contribution proved decisive in the attacking phase, while Vallés delivered the saves required to protect the lead in the closing stages.
For Porto, the defeat was a painful setback after they had recovered from conceding first and moved into a promising position at 2-1. Veiga’s free-kick and Aghehowa’s finish had given the visitors a genuine opportunity to take all three points, but their inability to contain Betis’ late attacking pressure proved costly.
The VAR decision that led to Isco’s penalty was another pivotal moment, turning a closely contested match in Betis’ favour and ultimately deciding the outcome.
Betis’ victory delivered a memorable European night in Seville and reinforced the team’s ambitions in the Champions League. For the home supporters, the comeback was a fitting celebration of their club’s return to the competition after a lengthy absence.
Final score: Real Betis 3-2 FC Porto.
Goal scorers: Abde Ezzalzouli (47′), Gabri Veiga (55′), Samu Aghehowa (61′), Cucho Hernández (74′), Isco (84′, penalty).
Assists: Fran García assisted Abde Ezzalzouli’s opening goal, Pepê supplied the pass for Samu Aghehowa’s goal, and Antony assisted Cucho Hernández’s equaliser. Gabri Veiga scored directly from a free-kick, while Isco converted the penalty awarded after a VAR review.
