Mbappe misses late penalty as Real Madrid fall to shock Betis defeat

Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season as a late Troy Parrott goal gave Real Betis a 1-0 victory in a dramatic match at La Cartuja, just days before the Spanish side begin their Champions League campaign.

Jose Mourinho’s team dominated possession and created the clearer chances, but failed to apply the decisive final touch. Their inability to turn pressure into goals proved costly when Parrott struck in the 81st minute, before Kylian Mbappe missed a stoppage-time penalty to complete a frustrating night for the visitors.

Mourinho had warned his players before kick-off that Real Betis would present a difficult challenge and said Real Madrid would need to perform at their highest level to win. His side made an aggressive start, but ultimately could not convert their early superiority.

Real Madrid immediately pushed forward and Mbappe came close to opening the scoring in the opening stages. In the 13th minute, Alvaro Valles produced an excellent save to keep out a powerful effort from Dean Huijsen.

Two minutes later, Vinicius Junior went even closer. After a fine piece of play from Arda Guler created the opportunity, the Brazil forward saw his effort come back off the post.

Betis threatened Thibaut Courtois’s goal occasionally, with Antony providing their main outlet, but the most dangerous openings continued to fall to the visiting side.

Real Madrid missed another major opportunity just before half-time. In the 44th minute, Valles twice denied Mbappe during the same attack. Betis then almost took the lead in added time at the end of the first half, when Huijsen’s shot struck the crossbar.

Betis punish Real Madrid’s wastefulness

Mbappe continued to search for a breakthrough after the interval and sent a curling effort just wide of the post. However, Real Madrid gradually lost control of the game, while Betis grew in confidence.

Mourinho responded by introducing several attacking options, including Bernardo Silva, Yan Diomande and Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he attempted to find a way through the Betis defence. The changes increased the attacking emphasis but failed to produce an equaliser.

Instead, Real Madrid were punished for their missed chances in the 81st minute. Courtois had saved an effort from a corner, but the ball fell kindly for Parrott, who reacted quickest to put Betis ahead. The goal sent the home supporters at La Cartuja into celebration and left Real Madrid facing an unexpected defeat.

The visitors pushed for a response during the closing stages. Espai appeared to have levelled the contest, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Real Madrid were then handed one final chance in the fifth minute of added time when they were awarded a penalty. Mbappe stepped up, but Valles kept out the spot-kick, ensuring Betis held on for a memorable victory.

The result means Mourinho and his players paid a heavy price for their profligacy in front of goal and suffered their first loss of the campaign. The defeat comes only a few days before Real Madrid begin their Champions League journey.

For Betis, the result was one of the standout surprises of the round, with the hosts claiming a valuable win against the Spanish giants.