Real Madrid’s night against Real Betis had all the ingredients of a dramatic finish, but the final moments left behind much more than a surprising defeat for the Spanish giants. While everyone was waiting for the final whistle and its consequences, one of the team’s biggest stars suddenly found himself at the center of a storm of criticism after failing to capitalize on an opportunity that could have completely changed the outcome.
The defeat itself was a major blow for Real Madrid, but what happened in the closing stages made the controversy even bigger. A golden opportunity appeared for the team to rescue something from the game, only for it to end in a way that increased the pressure on the player and prompted French and Spanish media outlets to raise difficult questions about his performance and his influence when the team needed him most.
Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat against Real Betis, with Kylian Mbappe missing a stoppage-time penalty. The result ended Real Madrid’s perfect start to the La Liga season after three consecutive victories.
Mbappe had the opportunity to rescue Real Madrid in the final moments after the referee awarded the visitors a penalty, but Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saved the French striker’s effort to preserve his team’s lead and secure all three points.
Mbappe’s struggles were not limited to the missed penalty. The forward also faced criticism over his approach to several Real Madrid attacks, with his critics arguing that he relied too heavily on individual play and failed to provide the collective contribution expected of him against Betis.
According to the report, French and Spanish media outlets launched strong criticism of Mbappe after the match, with the description “selfish” featuring among the accusations directed at the Real Madrid star amid renewed debate over his ability to lead the team’s attack in a more collective manner.
The criticism came after a match in which Real Madrid failed to make the most of their opportunities. One of Mbappe’s attempts struck the crossbar, while the team created other chances to equalize, only for Betis to remain resilient until the final whistle.
The only goal of the match was scored by Troy Parrott in the 81st minute after he followed up on a rebound from Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The goal secured a crucial victory for Betis and brought an end to Real Madrid’s perfect start.
Despite the defeat, Mbappe was not the only Real Madrid player to face criticism. The team as a whole struggled to break down Betis’ defensive structure, while Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham were also unable to produce the expected impact, meaning responsibility for the defeat cannot be placed on one player alone.
However, the missed penalty placed Mbappe firmly at the center of the discussion, particularly because it came in stoppage time and represented a clear opportunity to at least rescue a point for Real Madrid. Valles dealt with the effort successfully, producing one of the defining moments of the match.
The criticism also intensified around the debate over Real Madrid’s reliance on their star players to decide matches, especially when the attacking unit fails to function collectively. The latest defeat has therefore raised questions about whether the team needs greater collective solutions rather than depending on individual moments from Mbappe or Vinicius.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, defended his team after the match, insisting that his players had put in a good effort and that the main problem was their failure to convert the chances they created. He also praised Betis for their ability to manage the match until the final whistle.
The result leaves Real Madrid on nine points after four league matches, having previously won their opening three games of the campaign. Real Betis also moved to nine points, leaving the top of the La Liga table open ahead of Barcelona’s upcoming match against Valencia.
Mbappe will now be expected to respond quickly on the pitch, particularly after going from one of Real Madrid’s standout players during the strong start to the season to the center of widespread criticism following the Betis defeat. The biggest question now is whether this was simply a difficult night for the French forward or whether it will reopen the wider debate over his playing style and role within Real Madrid’s system.
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✖️😱 ¡MBAPPÉ NO PUDO CONVERTIR DE PENAL Y REAL MADRID SIGUE 0-1 ABAJO ANTE BETIS SOBRE EL FINAL!
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