Feyenoord endured a frustrating evening in Spain as a penalty by Real Betis’s outstanding player, Isco, secured a 1-0 win for the La Liga side.
The Rotterdammers were second best for most of the game, but held out until the 59th minute, when Abde Ezzalzouli’s cross hit the arm of Jeremiah St. Juste in front of goal.
Isco, who was at the heart of Betis’s attacks all evening, grabbed the ball and gave Tjark Ernst no chance from the penalty spot.
Ernst had made good saves from former AZ Alkmaar striker Troy Parrott and Marc Batra to keep Feyenoord in the game in the first half, but Feyenoord had the best chance of the opening period when Gjivai Zechiël shot over the bar from close range.
The visitors had a claim for a penalty of their own turned down in the 68th minute when Givairo Read claimed he had been pushed by Ezzalzouli, but referee Simone Sozza waved the appeals away.
The result leaves Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in 26th place in the Champions League table, with Internazionale up next in De Kuip on November 3.
