Mourinho suffers first Real Madrid defeat as Mbappé penalty is saved

Real Madrid’s perfect opening to the La Liga season ended in a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on 4 September, handing José Mourinho the first loss of his second spell in charge. Source 1Source 2 Troy Parrott’s 81st-minute goal settled the match at Estadio de La Cartuja, before Álvaro Valles saved Kylian Mbappé’s stoppage-time penalty in a dramatic finish. Source 1Source 2Source 3

What happened

Madrid arrived in Seville after winning each of their first three La Liga matches under Mourinho. Source 1Source 2 The decisive moment came nine minutes from time, when Parrott, on as a substitute, converted a rebound after Thibaut Courtois had saved a header from a Betis player. Source 1Source 3 Parrott had previously worked with Mourinho during the manager’s time at Tottenham Hotspur. Source 1

Real Madrid produced the larger attacking totals, recording 20 shots, eight on target, 58% possession and 10 corners. Source 4 Betis registered 10 shots, five on target, 42% possession and six corners. Source 4 Madrid substitute Carlos Espí then had an overhead kick ruled out for offside in the 87th minute. Source 1Source 2Source 3

Deep into added time, Natan fouled Vinícius Júnior in the area and Madrid were awarded a penalty. Source 2Source 3 Valles saved Mbappé’s attempt, preserving Betis’s lead. Source 1Source 2Source 3 Officials reviewed the incident for possible encroachment by a Betis player but did not order a retake. Source 1

Mourinho said, "I don’t know how we lost because we played very well collectively." Source 3 He said, "I cannot fault the attitude of any of my players." Source 3 Mourinho added, "We deserved to win but deserving to win does not give you points." Source 3

Why it matters

The result ends Madrid’s unbeaten start and represents the first defeat of Mourinho’s return, which began in the summer after he succeeded Álvaro Arbeloa following 13 years away from the club. Source 1Source 2 Madrid nevertheless finished the day second in La Liga, with nine points from four matches, three wins, one defeat and a goal difference of +7. Source 5

Their early league record includes 10 goals scored and three conceded. Source 5 The shot and possession figures underline Madrid’s territorial edge in Seville, but Betis’s late goal and Valles’s save determined the points. Source 1Source 3Source 4

What’s next

Real Madrid return to league action at home to Rayo Vallecano on 12 September. Source 6 They then travel to Elche on 15 September before an away match against Atlético Madrid on 20 September. Source 6

Notes

The reported VAR check concerned possible encroachment after Mbappé’s saved penalty, and it ended without a retake. Source 1 The supplied match accounts identify the saved Betis header only as coming from a Betis player. Source 1Source 3