Real Madrid’s difficult run away to Real Betis continued on Friday as Troy Parrott’s late goal secured a 1-0 victory for the Seville side.
The defeat means Real Madrid have now gone five consecutive away matches against Real Betis without a win. Their latest opportunity to end that sequence appeared to have disappeared when Parrott struck in the 81st minute, but the visitors were handed one final chance in added time.
Kylian Mbappe stepped up to take a penalty that would have brought Real Madrid level. However, he failed to convert, allowing Real Betis to hold on for a narrow win and extend their strong recent home record against the Madrid club.
Real Madrid had arrived at the match with a perfect start to La Liga since Jose Mourinho returned as head coach. They had won all three of their opening fixtures, scoring 10 goals and conceding two in the process.
Friday’s result was therefore their first defeat since Mourinho’s return to the position. It also ended their 100% record at the beginning of the campaign, while Real Betis claimed the only goal of a closely contested meeting through Parrott.
The result adds to a sequence of frustrating away performances for Real Madrid against Real Betis. Across the previous four meetings between the clubs in Seville, Real Madrid had failed to win on every occasion. Three of those matches ended in draws, while Real Betis won the other.
Parrott’s goal ensured the latest encounter followed that pattern rather than providing Real Madrid with a first away success in the fixture for five matches. The forward’s 81st-minute finish was the decisive moment, with Mbappe’s missed penalty in stoppage time leaving the visitors unable to respond.
For Real Betis, the victory provided another win over one of Spain’s leading clubs and maintained their unbeaten sequence against Real Madrid in home meetings. For the visitors, the loss marked a sharp change in fortunes after three victories from their first three La Liga matches under Mourinho.
Real Madrid had scored 10 times while conceding only twice in those opening games, but they could not find the net in Seville. Their failure to take the late penalty meant Parrott’s strike remained enough to settle the contest and give Real Betis all three points.