Betis Stun Real Madrid as Mbappé Penalty Is Saved in Stoppage Time

Real Betis goalkeeper Álvaro Valles saved a stoppage-time penalty from Kylian Mbappé on Friday, sealing a surprise 1-0 La Liga win over Real Madrid at La Cartuja stadium in Seville.

The defeat was Madrid's first since José Mourinho returned to the bench this season. The visitors had a chance to rescue a point at the very end, but Valles had other plans.

Mbappé appeared set to level the match after Troy Parrott put Betis ahead in the 81st minute. The penalty was awarded after Vinícius Júnior drove down the left flank toward the byline and was brought down by a reckless sliding challenge from defender Natan.

Mbappé stumbled slightly during his run-up and aimed for the bottom left corner of the net. Valles dived to smother the effort. The goalkeeper celebrated with a shout and a small chest bump toward the French forward, who looked stunned.

Valles said he had studied Mbappé's penalties and correctly guessed the shot would go to his right. "We were sure we had it, but of course you also need a bit of luck," he said. "He is very good at trying to make you commit early without showing where he is aiming. I was fortunate to stop it."

The save capped an outstanding night for the Betis keeper. Among his other interventions, he got a hand to an early header from Jude Bellingham.

Mbappé had made a strong start to the season, scoring in two of his first three matches, including a hat trick. In Seville, though, he was well below his best. Besides the missed penalty, he wasted a double chance in the first half after Vinícius set him up while Valles was out of position. Both of those consecutive attempts struck different Betis defenders, and he also had a shot that grazed the post.

Mbappé was the top scorer at this summer's World Cup, and he will have a chance to make amends with Madrid on Tuesday, when the team hosts Inter Milan in the Champions League opener for both clubs.