Real Madrid Lose 0-1 to Betis as Three-Game Winning Streak Ends, Mbappe's Missed Penalty Draws Questions

It was considered an upset because Betis had just suffered a 2-5 defeat to Levante in the previous round, and the media heavily criticized "the Chilean engineer" Pellegrini. Who could have expected that just one week later, he would regain his dignity against a team of Real Madrid's stature at the Bernabeu? Football is always more unpredictable than you imagine.

But what truly sparked controversy was not the result, but the process. Real Madrid manager Mourinho did not substitute any of the "three giants" throughout the match—Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius—and all three played until the final second. With the Champions League opener approaching, pushing the three key players through the entire match only to suffer a defeat has raised questions about the decision.

There is no denying Real Madrid dominated the match, with possession and shot numbers both overwhelming their opponents, but when they advanced toward the edge of the penalty area, it was as if they had hit an invisible wall. Several chances were right in front of them, yet they simply could not finish, creating a more frustrating feeling than being beaten by counterattacks.

Vinicius had an excellent open-goal opportunity in the first half, but his shot hit the post and bounced away. That sound of the ball striking the post felt like a reflection of his form throughout the season. Bellingham was tightly marked as well, and his long, powerful runs from the previous match were nowhere to be seen, as he gradually lost space in the midfield battle.

The most worrying figure was Mbappe. The player who scored all his penalties in the World Cup final seemed to lose his usual confidence in this match. He hesitated during several one-on-one chances, and his shooting angles and power lacked precision. He appeared detached from the game and could not find his usual commanding rhythm.

In stoppage time, Vinicius won a penalty, which should have been a golden opportunity to equalize. However, Mbappe's medium-height spot kick lacked both direction and power, and goalkeeper Valles was prepared and made a diving save. At that moment, the whistles at the Bernabeu nearly lifted the roof.

When discussing penalties, it is impossible not to think of Qatar 2022. Against Martinez, Mbappe converted all three of his penalties, and his calmness and decisiveness left a lasting impression worldwide. Now, his penalty technique has been thoroughly studied by coaching staffs, and if he continues using the same approach, goalkeepers will already have solutions prepared.

Compared with the problems in attack, the defensive issues were equally obvious. The goal came from a corner-kick situation, with the second ball not being defended, defenders failing to mark tightly, and positioning mistakes allowing Parrott to react quickly and score easily. Such basic errors are fatal in high-level matches.

What felt surprising was that in the previous round, Real Madrid had beaten newly promoted Malaga 4-0 at home, with Bellingham and Mbappe both receiving widespread praise, while Mourinho was hailed for his excellent management. Few fans expected that one week later they would suffer such a setback away from home.

Objectively speaking, defeating a promoted team deserves celebration, but it should not lead to excessive praise. Football evaluations change quickly; today's hero can be brought back down tomorrow. Real Madrid's defeat was actually a timely reminder—not to become complacent.

For Betis, Pellegrini's tactical setup in this match was close to textbook. He repeatedly attacked the space on Real Madrid's right side after they pushed forward, designed accurate corner routines, and organized decisive midfield interceptions. A coach who was criticized and close to dismissal after the previous match pulled himself back from the edge with this victory.

Should the three giants be substituted? This question troubles Mourinho and all Real Madrid fans. With the Champions League approaching, managing fitness is a necessary consideration, but the loss of chemistry caused by rotation cannot be ignored either. This season's dilemma still has no standard answer.

Another figure worth watching is Ivorian winger Diomande, who was signed this summer for 125 million euros. He has appeared as a substitute in all four league matches and has yet to receive a starting opportunity. With such a high price tag and expectations, the lack of a bigger role has likely caused concern for both the club and supporters.

This defeat was more like a mirror, revealing the hidden problems Real Madrid has carried so far this season: excessive reliance on individual star quality in attack, which can lead to stagnation when opponents prepare targeted defenses; continued weaknesses on defensive set pieces; and the need to better resolve the distribution of possession among the three stars.

The Champions League opener is about to begin, and opponents will not be as easy to handle as Malaga, nor as forgiving as Betis in this match. Mourinho needs to analyze each problem during the upcoming training sessions, while the three stars must rediscover their dominant mentality.

The charm of football lies in its unpredictability. A team can be placed on a pedestal in one round and brought back down to earth in the next. For Real Madrid, this defeat may not necessarily be a bad thing, as exposing problems early is better than allowing them to explode during the Champions League knockout stages.

Pellegrini proved his coaching intelligence with this victory, while Mourinho will need to answer the questions surrounding him through Real Madrid's upcoming Champions League performances. La Liga in September has only just begun, the story is far from over, and the fans' discussions are only starting to heat up.