Real Betis Stuns Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé Misses Penalty

Kylian Mbappé watched the chance slip away. Troy Parrott seized his.

The France captain missed a stoppage-time penalty as Real Betis stunned Real Madrid 1-0 at La Cartuja on Friday night, handing José Mourinho his first defeat of his second spell in charge and snapping Madrid’s perfect start to the La Liga season.

Parrott pounces, Madrid punished

Madrid arrived with three wins from three and a familiar air of inevitability. They left with questions, frustration, and the sound of Betis celebrating a statement victory that drags them level on nine points after four games.

The warning signs for Madrid came early. Arda Güler slid a sharp ball across the six-yard box in the first half, only for Vinicius Junior to crash his effort against the post. Mbappé then found himself twice in promising positions, twice denied by desperate, last-ditch defending from Natan and Marc Bartra.

Betis bent but refused to break. Alvaro Valles grew in stature as the game wore on, Madrid’s attacks starting to feel repetitive, almost impatient. Every blocked shot, every clearance fed the noise inside La Cartuja.

Then the punchline arrived.

With nine minutes left, Betis broke Madrid’s rhythm with a move that carried all the conviction the visitors lacked. Nelson Deossa met a cross with a firm header that seemed destined for the corner, only for Thibaut Courtois to fling himself across goal and claw it out. The save was brilliant; the rebound was fatal. Parrott reacted quickest, thundering the loose ball home and sending the stadium into chaos.

Late drama, cruel ending

Madrid thought they had found their escape route. Carlos Espi produced a stunning acrobatic finish from a Vinicius cross, only to see the equaliser ruled out for offside in the build-up. The celebrations died in an instant; Betis’ belief hardened.

Mbappé tried to drag Madrid back himself. A delicate effort from the edge of the box kissed the crossbar, Valles rooted as the ball skimmed away. The clock ticked into stoppage time, the tension thickening.

Then came the moment that should have broken Betis. Natan flew into a crunching late challenge on Vinicius in the area, the referee pointing to the spot. Up stepped Mbappé, the script already written in most people’s minds.

Valles tore it up.

Guessing right, the Betis goalkeeper pushed away Mbappé’s penalty and was engulfed by teammates as La Cartuja erupted once more. Madrid’s unbeaten run was gone, their perfect record with it. Betis had their night, and something more valuable than three points: momentum, just days before they return to the Champions League stage for only the second time in their history.

Madrid, and Mbappé, will have to wait for their response.