Real Betis handed Real Madrid their first defeat of the season in a thrilling 1-0 victory at the Estadio de La Cartuja. In an end-to-end contest where both sides combined for 30 shots, Manuel Pellegrini’s side proved more clinical in the final third, ultimately snapping Madrid’s perfect start to the La Liga campaign under José Mourinho.
Key Moments
- 81′ – Betis Breaks the Deadlock: Following a corner, Nelson Deossa won the aerial duel against Dean Huijsen to direct a powerful header on target. Thibaut Courtois managed to parry the initial effort, but substitute Troy Parrott was there to quickly slot home the rebound on his home debut.
- 88′ – Madrid Goal Disallowed: Real Madrid substitute Carlos Espí found the back of the net with an impressive overhead kick, but the equalizer was overturned following a VAR review.
- 90+3′ – Penalty Drama: Deep into stoppage time, Vinícius Júnior drew minimal contact from Betis’s Natan, earning Real Madrid a lifeline. Kylian Mbappé stepped up to take the penalty, but fired a weak shot that Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles read perfectly and saved.
- 90+6′ – VAR Overrules Retake: Following the missed penalty, the play went to VAR to review a potential encroachment by Marc Bartra during Mbappé’s stuttered run-up. The review concluded that Bartra had not grounded his foot inside the box before the kick was taken, and no retake was given.
