In a thrilling encounter at La Cartuja, Real Betis claimed a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, marking a significant upset in the La Liga season. The match, held on Friday, saw Kylian Mbappe miss a late penalty that could have changed the outcome for Madrid, who had previously enjoyed a perfect start under manager Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid entered this match with a perfect record, having won their first three La Liga games since Mourinho's return to the club. However, Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles proved to be the hero of the night, denying Mbappe from the penalty spot in stoppage time, which ultimately sealed the win for the home side.
The first half was a tense affair, with Madrid's Vinicius Junior coming close to scoring when he hit the post after a well-placed pass from Arda Guler. The visitors continued to apply pressure, but Betis' defense, led by Natan and Marc Bartra, thwarted several attempts, including two crucial blocks on Mbappe during swift counter-attacks.
As the match progressed, Betis found their rhythm and took an unexpected lead with just nine minutes remaining. Troy Parrott, who recently joined the club from AZ Alkmaar, scored his first goal for Betis by capitalizing on a rebound following a fine save from Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, who had initially stopped a powerful header from Nelson Deossa.
Madrid thought they had equalized shortly after when Carlos Espi executed a stunning acrobatic finish from a Vinicius cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside, leaving the visitors frustrated. In a final push for a draw, Mbappe nearly leveled the score with a delicate shot that brushed the crossbar before he was awarded a penalty after a late challenge by Natan on Vinicius.
Despite the high stakes, Valles stood tall, saving Mbappe's penalty attempt and ensuring Betis walked away with all three points. This victory lifted Betis to nine points in the league, matching Madrid's tally but placing them in a strong position ahead of their upcoming Champions League match against Lille.
After the match, Mourinho expressed his disappointment, stating, "The team played a great game. Sometimes you lose and cannot explain how. We created a lot going forward and had plenty of chances. If the match had ended in a draw we would have been frustrated, so imagine how we feel after a defeat." He emphasized that despite the missed opportunities, he had no complaints about his players' performances.
As the La Liga season continues, Barcelona has the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table with a match against Valencia on Sunday. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will look to bounce back as they begin their Champions League campaign at home against Italian champions Inter Milan next Tuesday.
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