Brugue brace ends Betis's perfect start to LaLiga

Real Betis lost their perfect start to LaLiga as Roger Brugue helped Levante to a 5-2 victory on Saturday.

Betis, whose fifth-place finish last term secured them a long-awaited return to the Champions League, would have gone top of the table with a third win from as many outings to start their domestic campaign.

But it was not to be for Manuel Pellegrini's charges as goals from Adrian de la Fuente, Enzo Bardeli, Brugue and Jon Ander Olasagasti secured the hosts their first win of the season.

De la Fuente broke the deadlock at the Ciutat de Valencia with a glancing header from a corner in the 24th minute.

Shortly after the half-hour, former Barcelona centre-half Marc Bartra levelled for Betis with a forceful effort from the edge of the box.

The match then really sparked into life under the late summer Valencian sun as the clock ticked past 45 minutes.

Bardeli displayed fantastic technique and imagination two minutes into added-time as he pounced on a loose defensive pass and launched a chip from well over 40 yards that left Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles helpless.

But the visitors still managed to go into the break on level terms as Rodrigo Riquelme tucked in a flick-on from a corner.

But a double from Brugue – the first another set-piece goal, before he bundled home from close range after Ivan Romero had struck the post – and a late Olasagasti header sealed the win.

Later, Betis's city rivals Sevilla host Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid and Espanyol travel to Real Sociedad.