Real Betis secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Porto in the Champions League, with Isco converting a penalty in the 84th minute to settle a tightly contested encounter at the death.

The result marks back-to-back wins for the Spanish side in this season's competition, a strong early return as they look to establish themselves among Europe's elite once again. Betis have shown resilience and composure in the closing stages of their opening fixtures, and the win against Porto adds further evidence of their capacity to handle pressure moments in continental football.

Isco, who has been a key creative presence for Betis since his move to the club, stepped up when it mattered most, calmly dispatching the spot-kick to turn the match in his side's favor. The veteran midfielder's experience in high-stakes matches, built over years at the top level of European football, proved decisive in securing all three points for the Andalusian club.

The nature of the victory, coming so late in the match, will give Betis supporters and coaching staff confidence that the squad has the mental fortitude required to compete at this level. Porto, meanwhile, will be left to reflect on a missed opportunity, having been in a position to take something from the match before conceding the decisive penalty in the final ten minutes.

Both matches this season have shown Betis's ability to find a way to win, even when games are finely poised. Starting the Champions League campaign with consecutive victories is no small feat, particularly against sides with strong European pedigree such as Porto, who have long been regular participants in continental competitions and carry a reputation for defensive organization and tactical discipline.

For Betis, the challenge now will be to maintain this level of performance as the competition progresses and fixtures become increasingly demanding. Two wins from two represents an excellent platform, but the squad and coaching staff will be aware that consistency across a long campaign is what ultimately determines progression to the knockout stages.

Isco's impact in particular will be closely watched moving forward. His ability to influence matches from midfield, coupled with his composure under pressure as demonstrated by the match-winning penalty, makes him a vital component of Betis's ambitions this season. The club will hope he can continue to produce decisive moments as the group stage unfolds.

Porto, despite the defeat, showed enough in patches to suggest they remain a competitive force in the tournament. The margin of victory, just a single goal in a match that finished 3-2, indicates how closely fought the contest was throughout, with both teams trading opportunities before the late drama unfolded.

Attention will now turn to how both sides respond in their upcoming fixtures, with Betis seeking to build on their perfect start and Porto looking to bounce back and get their own campaign firmly on track. The Champions League group phase remains long, but early results such as this can play a significant role in shaping confidence and momentum for the months ahead.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.