No killer on the spot

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

Real Betis defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at La Cartuja stadium, with Troy Parrott scoring his first goal for the club and goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saving a late penalty from Kylian Mbappe. This loss handed Mourinho’s team their first defeat of the La Liga season, leaving both clubs tied on nine points after four matches as they prepare for upcoming Champions League fixtures.

Real Betis secured a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid on Friday at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, handing Jose Mourinho’s side their first defeat of the La Liga season. Ireland striker Troy Parrott scored his first goal for Betis late in the match, while Kylian Mbappe missed a critical penalty in stoppage time, preserving Betis's lead.

Real Madrid entered the game unbeaten, having won all three of their opening fixtures under Mourinho in his second tenure. Despite controlling much of the match and creating numerous scoring opportunities, they were unable to find the net. Key chances included a shot from Vinicius Junior that hit the post and two attempts by Mbappe that were blocked by Betis defenders Natan and Marc Bartra. Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles also made several crucial saves to maintain the clean sheet.

The decisive moment came nine minutes from full time when Parrott capitalized on a rebound following a save by Real’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who had denied a header from Nelson Deossa. Parrott, who joined Betis from AZ Alkmaar last month on a five-year contract, made an immediate impact in his home debut with the club.

Real Madrid’s Carlos Espi appeared to have scored an equalizer with an acrobatic finish from a Vinicius cross, but the goal was ruled out for offside in the buildup. In the final moments, Mbappe came close to leveling the score with a shot that struck the crossbar and was later awarded a penalty after a challenge by Natan on Vinicius. However, Valles saved the penalty, preserving Betis's lead and the win.

Mourinho acknowledged Real Madrid’s dominance and opportunity creation but expressed frustration over the outcome. “We were really dominant, created a lot going forward and had plenty of chances,” he said. “If the match had ended in a draw we would have been frustrated, so imagine how we feel after a defeat.” The coach declined to comment on refereeing decisions and maintained that his team deserved to win despite the result.

The win lifts Real Betis level with Real Madrid on nine points from four matches. Looking ahead, Real Madrid will begin their Champions League campaign against Italian champions Inter Milan at home on Tuesday, while Betis travels to face Lille in France for their second Champions League fixture.

Meanwhile, Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to three points with a win over Valencia at Mestalla this weekend.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.