Mourinho’s Real Madrid Fall to First Defeat Despite Dominant Display Againts Betis

JakartaHits.id — Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with three straight victories, but that perfect record came to an abrupt end on Friday, September 4, 2026. Real Betis edged the visitors 1-0 at Estadio de La Cartuja, with substitute Troy Parrott netting the winner in the 81st minute and Kylian Mbappe failing to convert a late penalty.

Despite the defeat, Madrid were the more dominant side for long periods. According to ESPN match data published on Saturday, September 5, 2026, they enjoyed around 58% possession, fired 20 shots compared to Betis’s 10, and recorded an expected goals total of approximately 3.16 against the hosts’ 0.96. The visitors created seven clear-cut opportunities but failed to convert any of them, with several attempts hitting the woodwork. Arda Guler was particularly influential in creating chances, while centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen impressed with their defensive control.

Parrott, who had come off the bench, capitalised on a rebound after Thibaut Courtois had denied Nelson Deossa’s header from a corner. Madrid believed they had found an equaliser when Carlos Espi produced a spectacular bicycle kick from Vinicius Junior’s cross, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside. Deep into stoppage time, Natan brought down Vinicius inside the box, but Álvaro Valles dived to save Mbappe’s subsequent penalty. The French forward had already wasted several big chances, including a first-half opportunity cleared off the line and another effort that rattled the crossbar, before missing the late penalty.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho insisted his side had produced a strong performance. “Sometimes you lose and you don’t know why,” he said, quoted from AS on Saturday, September 5, 2026. “If it had ended in a draw, we would have been frustrated because we did so much more; imagine now that we have lost.”

He went on to stress that he had no criticism of his players’ commitment. “Deserving to win does not give you points,” Mourinho added, quoted from Reuters on Friday, September 4, 2026. “Congratulations to Betis, who played to draw and ended up hitting the jackpot,” he continued, as reported by AS on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

The result leaves Real Madrid on nine points from four matches, level with both Barcelona and Real Betis, and brings an end to Mourinho’s 100% start to his second spell at the club. (*)