Real Betis Balompié's flawless start to the La Liga season came to a crashing halt with a 5-2 defeat away to Levante on Saturday, August 29, 2026. A disastrous defensive performance saw the Verdiblancos concede five times, surrendering their perfect record and clean sheet streak in a match they twice managed to draw level.
The match in Valencia turned into a nightmare after halftime. Goals from Marc Bartra in the 33rd minute and Rodrigo Riquelme in the 48th had pulled Betis back to 2-2, but the team collapsed following the substitutions of Isco and Troy Parrott. This loss drops Betis from their strong early position; they had been fifth in the table with six points from two wins, just one point behind leaders Alaves and with a +2 goal difference.
What went wrong with Betis's defense?
The defensive unit that had looked so secure in the opening two matches completely fell apart at the Ciutat de València. Manuel Pellegrini's side were abysmal at defending set pieces and displayed a general disorganization that Levante exploited ruthlessly. Goalkeeper Rui Valles and defenders like Héctor Bellerín and Bartra himself were overwhelmed by the onslaught.
The collapse was stark in the second half. After making it 2-2, Levante captain Roger Brugué scored twice in the 55th and 69th minutes to kill the game. Jon Ander Olasagasti added a fifth in the 94th minute.
How did squad absences contribute to the loss?
The defeat comes at a sensitive time with several key players unavailable. Betis is currently managing without Aitor Ruibal, Diego Conde, Giovani Lo Celso, and Gonzalo Petit, all listed on our injuries page. The lack of depth was evident when Pellegrini made his changes.
The departure of Isco, who had returned to the starting lineup, and Parrott, who missed a clear chance in the 49th minute, left a creative void. Players like Marc Roca, Facundo Bernal, Antony, and Pablo Fornals failed to impose themselves or stem the defensive bleeding.
What does this mean for Betis's season?
This setback is a major reality check for a Betis side preparing for Champions League football. Going from zero goals conceded to letting in five in one match is a significant psychological blow. The season's stats have been dramatically altered: they now have two goals for and five against, severely damaging their positive goal difference.
The schedule doesn't get any easier. The next fixture is a massive home game against third-placed Real Madrid on September 4th. Fans can check the details for this and upcoming matches on our fixtures page. The team's reaction will be crucial to staying in the hunt for the top spots, which you can track on the standings page.
Pellegrini has immediate work to do to fix a defense that was a mess in Valencia. Concentration and solidity on set pieces must improve urgently if Betis is to keep its season objectives on track. The team must quickly erase this performance and focus on the huge challenge of facing Madrid at the Benito Villamarín.
