Havana, September 5 (RHC) – Real Betis defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at La Cartuja, with a goal from Irishman Troy Parrott in the 81st minute, handing the Merengues their first defeat of the Spanish League.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side survived a first half in which the visitors had the clearest chances, but Álvaro Vallés was immense between the posts, denying Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham.
Betis started tentatively, pinned back in their own half for long stretches, but gradually shook off Real Madrid’s dominance and found a constant threat down the wing in Antony, who troubled Thibaut Courtois.
After the break, José Mourinho’s men regained control of the ball and the pitch, but were too wasteful in front of goal until football, unpredictable as ever, punished their lack of precision.
In the 81st minute, a corner kick fell near the Real Madrid goal, and Parrott, ever opportunistic, connected with his right foot from close range to ignite La Cartuja and make it 1-0, a scoreline that would remain unchanged until the break.
Real Madrid’s response came six minutes later when Carlos Espí beat Vallés with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, although the celebration was cut short when VAR intervened and disallowed the goal.
In stoppage time, Kylian Mbappé missed a costly penalty that prevented an equalizer, and all of Real Madrid’s hopes vanished.
The setback ends Real Madrid’s perfect start, having previously defeated Espanyol, Real Sociedad, and Málaga, while Barcelona remains alone at the top with three wins.
Meanwhile, Betis has three wins and a draw, making La Cartuja once again a favorable venue after defeating Real Sociedad 1-0 there earlier this season.
The result also extends Betis’s remarkable drought, as Real Madrid has not managed a win away from home against Betis since the 2021-2022 season, a streak that now encompasses their last four league visits.
Real Madrid faced the match hampered by the absences of Aurélien Tchouaméni, Endrick, Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asensio, and Thiago, losses that reduced Mourinho’s room for maneuver.
Thus, Pellegrini, the veteran Chilean manager in his seventh consecutive season at the helm of Betis, won the battle against Mourinho in a rematch between two coaches who this time let the game speak for itself.
