Real Madrid waste their chances as Betis claim a dramatic 1-0 win

Real Madrid suffered their first defeat since José Mourinho’s return as Real Betis secured a 1-0 victory at Estadio La Cartuja. The visitors produced 20 shots, hit the woodwork three times, had a goal disallowed and missed a stoppage-time penalty. Betis survived all of it before Troy Parrott’s 81st-minute strike decided the match.

Madrid created more than enough to avoid defeat. Their finishing, however, turned an otherwise commanding performance into a painful night in Seville.

VALLÉS AND THE WOODWORK DENY MADRID

Mourinho started with Kylian Mbappé leading an attack also containing Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler. Madrid immediately took control and created their first major chance after 15 minutes, when Vinícius struck the post.

The visitors continued to reach dangerous positions, but Álvaro Vallés repeatedly stood between them and the opening goal. Dean Huijsen also hit the woodwork shortly before half-time as Betis somehow reached the interval with the score still goalless.

Madrid were moving the ball well and finding space around the penalty area. The only missing element was the finish, which ultimately became the story of their evening.

PARROTT MAKES AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Mourinho introduced Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Yan Diomande as Madrid attempted to increase the pressure. Manuel Pellegrini responded with changes of his own, sending Parrott on for Cucho Hernández in the 69th minute.

Twelve minutes later, the Irish striker put Betis ahead. Courtois managed to intervene following a set piece, but Parrott reacted quickest to the loose ball and converted the rebound.

It was Betis’ one decisive attacking moment. Madrid had more possession, twice as many attempts and spent long periods around the home side’s penalty area, but the substitute supplied the only finish that counted.

ESPÍ DENIED BEFORE MBAPPÉ MISSES

Madrid appeared to have found an equaliser in the 87th minute. Carlos Espí, introduced only five minutes earlier, put the ball into the net. A VAR review followed and the goal was ruled out for offside.

Mbappé had already struck the woodwork in the 85th minute, but he received an even better opportunity deep into stoppage time. Madrid were awarded a penalty and their leading scorer stepped forward with the chance to rescue a point.

The Frenchman failed to convert in the 95th minute. Betis held on through the remaining moments and completed a remarkable 1-0 victory.

FIRST SETBACK UNDER MOURINHO

The defeat ended Madrid’s perfect start to the LaLiga season after victories over Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Málaga. They had scored ten goals across those three matches, but left Seville empty-handed despite recording 58 per cent possession, 20 shots, 51 touches inside the opposition box and 3.16 expected goals.

Those numbers show that Mourinho’s team did plenty right before the finish. They also explain why the result will be so frustrating. Vallés delivered an outstanding performance, Betis defended with discipline and Madrid failed to take any of the opportunities presented to them.

One defeat does not erase an excellent opening to the season. It does provide Mourinho with a clear issue to address before the Champions League campaign begins. Madrid controlled most of the match in Seville, but football occasionally reduces ninety minutes of pressure to one simple detail: Betis scored and Real did not.