Real Madrid suffered their first La Liga defeat of the season, falling 1-0 to Real Betis at Estadio de La Cartuja after a late Troy Parrott strike and a stoppage-time penalty save by goalkeeper Álvaro Valles.
The visiting side arrived in Andalusia with a flawless record in domestic play, having secured three victories to start the campaign under the management of José Mourinho. Instead of extending that run against the local side, the Madrid squad ran into a defiant defensive display and a late counter-punch that upended the table.
How Real Betis Stunned Real Madrid in Seville
The decisive moment arrived late in the second half when the home side broke the deadlock. Thibaut Courtois managed to block a header from Deosa, but Troy Parrott pounced on the rebound to tap the ball into an empty net in the 81st minute. The strike rewarded a disciplined defensive effort orchestrated by the hosts.
Throughout the match, the visitors controlled the tempo and enjoyed a meaningful share of possession at Estadio de La Cartuja. Yet, despite mounting relentless pressure, the attack repeatedly failed to find the back of the net.
Frustration on the Woodwork and Heroics from Álvaro Valles
The scoreline could easily have looked different had fortune favored the attacking line. Vinícius Júnior struck the left upright in the 15th minute, while Dean Huijsen also hit the woodwork during a frantic first-half push. Kylian Mbappé came close on multiple occasions, including a stoppage-time penalty that could have salvaged a draw.
Goalkeeper Álvaro Valles proved to be the decisive figure for the home team. Valles turned away numerous dangerous efforts throughout the evening, culminating in a dramatic stoppage-time save that secured all three points.
Mbappé stepped up to take the 90+3rd-minute spot-kick, but Valles guessed correctly to deny the effort and preserve the clean sheet. Moments earlier, a spectacular overhead kick from Espi hit the back of the net only to be ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside.
Standings Shift After the Andalusian Thriller
Real Madrid remained on 9 points after four matches, dropping to second place in the league table.
Real Betis climbed into a direct tie with their defeated opponents, matching the exact record of three wins and one draw for 9 points. Barcelona also sits on the same points total while holding a match in hand, tightening the race at the top of the division.
