Real Madrid Stumbles in Seville: Mbappé's Missed Penalty Costs Points
Kylian Mbappé put the ball on the spot in Seville with the game hanging by a thread and the clock already in stoppage time. One clean strike and Real Madrid would escape with a point. He looked sure of himself.
Alvaro Vallés looked surer.
The Real Betis goalkeeper flung himself low to his right, strong hands pushing away Mbappé’s penalty and, with it, Madrid’s unbeaten start under José Mourinho. The save sealed a 1-0 win at the Estadio La Cartuja on Friday night and lit up a city already buzzing under the lights.
For a moment, even that drama had to wait. The officials froze the ensuing corner, checking whether Vallés had kept at least one foot on the line and not encroached illegally as Mbappé struck the ball. After a tense pause, the verdict stood. No retake. No reprieve. Madrid’s last hope fizzled out with a harmless delivery and a scrambled clearance.
VAR drama denies Madrid late equalizer
The penalty wasn’t the only flashpoint. Spanish talk shows will dine out on this match for days.
Real Madrid thought they had rescued themselves in the 87th minute with a goal of rare quality. Vinícius Júnior, dancing in the box, shaped his body and whipped an outside-of-the-boot pass into the crowded area. The ball dropped perfectly for Carlos Espí, who improvised brilliantly, sending an overhead kick beyond Vallés and into the Betis net.
Madrid’s bench erupted. Mourinho turned toward the fourth official, fists clenched. It felt like a classic late Madrid escape.
Then came the VAR check.
Replays showed the first movement into the box had started from an offside position. The build-up, as pretty as it was, had a flaw. The referee signaled the decision: goal disallowed. The stadium roared, but this time it was Betis celebrating as the scoreboard stayed locked at 1-0.
The fine margins that so often fall Madrid’s way went the other direction in Seville.
Parrott strikes, Betis hold their nerve
Betis’ lead came late but felt earned. In the 81st minute, with Madrid pushing higher and leaving gaps, Ireland international Troy Parrott found the decisive touch. His strike gave Betis the advantage their resilience deserved and turned the final minutes into a siege.
From there, it became a test of nerve. Betis dropped deeper, defended their box with conviction, and trusted Vallés to handle everything else. He did exactly that, from high crosses to that last, decisive duel with Mbappé.
For Mourinho, it marked a first setback since his bombastic return to the Bernabéu. The aura of early invincibility took a hit on a humid Andalusian night, not through a collapse, but through one missed penalty, one offside run, and one ruthless counterpunch from Parrott.
Madrid turn toward Europe
There is no time for soul-searching. Real Madrid, the club that owns the UEFA Champions League like no other — 15 titles, a number that defines an era and a standard — now pivots straight into Europe.
Inter Milan arrive at the Bernabéu on Sept. 8 to open Madrid’s 2026-27 UCL campaign. Mourinho will walk out into a competition he knows as well as anyone, with a squad suddenly reminded that his second reign will not be a stroll.
Betis walk away from La Cartuja with three points, a statement win, and a goalkeeper who outdueled Mbappé in the game’s coldest moment.
Madrid walk away with a question: was this just a stumble, or the first sign that this new Mourinho project will have to suffer before it can dominate?
