Real Betis suffered a heavy setback in La Liga on Saturday, falling to a 5-2 defeat against Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side had won their opening two league matches and were hoping to maintain their perfect record, with victory potentially sending them to the top of the table.
Levante, however, produced an impressive attacking display to claim their first win of the campaign.
Adrian de la Fuente opened the scoring in the 24th minute, heading home from a corner to put the hosts in front.
Betis responded shortly after the half-hour mark when Marc Bartra drilled a powerful effort from outside the box beyond the Levante goalkeeper.
The game became increasingly open before the interval. Levante restored their advantage two minutes into stoppage time when Enzo Bardeli brilliantly capitalised on a loose pass before producing a spectacular chip from more than 40 yards.
Betis refused to go into the break behind, though, as Rodrigo Riquelme converted a flick-on from a corner to make it 2-2.
Levante then took control after the restart, with Roger Brugue becoming the key figure.
Brugue put the hosts ahead again with a set-piece finish before adding his second after Ivan Romero’s effort struck the post, allowing him to bundle the ball home from close range.
Jon Ander Olasagasti completed the rout late in the match with a header as Levante secured a convincing 5-2 victory.
The result ends Betis’ unbeaten start and gives Levante their first league win of the new season.
