Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the season ended Friday as Real Betis won 1-0 in La Liga with goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saving a stoppage-time penalty from Kylian Mbappe.
Substitute Troy Parrott broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, pouncing after Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois parried a header into his path. Mbappe hit the crossbar minutes later and a spectacular bicycle kick from substitute Carlos Espi was ruled out for offside after VAR review.
Madrid got a late lifeline when Betis defender Natan brought down Vinícius Júnior inside the box in stoppage time. But Valles guessed correctly, diving to his right to save Mbappe's spot kick and seal Betis's win.
Valles, who also denied an early Jude Bellingham header, said he had studied Mbappé's penalty patterns beforehand. "We were sure we had it but you also need luck" he said. "He tries to make you commit early. I was fortunate to stop it."
Mbappe who had scored in two of his first three matches this season, struggled in Seville also missing a first-half double chance after Vinícius set him up.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho back on the bench this season and defended his squad after the loss in his first defeat this term. "We played very well collectively. We deserved to win, but deserving doesn't give you points" he said also praising the crowd's role in helping Betis "gain these kinds of advantages."
Madrid will look to bounce back when it hosts Inter Milan in its Champions League opener on Tuesday.
