Alvaro Valles’ penalty study helps Real Betis hold off Real Madrid

Alvaro Valles said detailed preparation and a deliberate attempt to unsettle Kylian Mbappe helped him save the Real Madrid forward’s stoppage-time penalty as Real Betis secured a 1-0 La Liga victory at La Cartuja on Friday evening.

Mbappe had the chance to equalise in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the second half, but Valles guessed correctly and kept out the France international’s effort. The save preserved Real Betis’ lead and completed a memorable win for the Andalusian side.

Valles said his decisive intervention was the result of studying Mbappe’s penalty-taking habits rather than a matter of luck.

“I knew he took penalties towards the sides, and I tried to wait as long as possible. That was the side I chose to go to,” the Real Betis goalkeeper told reporters after the match.

The Spanish goalkeeper also revealed that he tried to distract Mbappe before the spot-kick was taken. Valles said he told the striker: “How lucky you are, a penalty in the last minute, how lucky you are.”

Mbappe’s missed penalty came during an intense conclusion to a match in which Real Betis successfully defended a narrow advantage against the Spanish champions. The goalkeeper’s reaction did not end with the save, however, as he became involved in a direct confrontation with Mbappe.

Valles shouted at the Real Madrid forward and collided with him during the final moments, adding further tension to an already heated finish.

Real Betis had taken the lead in the 81st minute through Troy Parrott. Real Madrid appeared to have found an answer six minutes later when Carlos Espi put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

That decision left Real Madrid trailing as the match entered its closing stages, and Mbappe’s late penalty represented their final opportunity to avoid defeat. Valles denied him, allowing Real Betis to complete a 1-0 victory at La Cartuja.

The result was secured by a combination of Real Betis’ late defensive resistance, Valles’ preparation for the penalty and the goalkeeper’s ability to withstand the pressure of facing one of the world’s leading forwards.