September 7: Real Madrid Had 76% Possession and 20 Shots but Lost 0-1 to Betis, Mbappe Missed Stoppage-Time Penalty

In the early hours of September 5, 2026, the scoreboard at Seville's La Cartuja Stadium stopped at 1-0.

Real Madrid had 76% possession, 20 shots, and 3.16 expected goals, but failed to score.

Mbappe had seven shots with four on target, failed to score, and missed a penalty in stoppage time.

Mourinho's first official defeat after returning for a second spell at Real Madrid arrived earlier than expected and with less drama than anticipated.

The contrast in this match was uncomfortable.

Real Madrid started the season with three straight wins, and public opinion generally believed Mourinho's new system was already working, with the 4-2-3-1 structure taking shape.

But in the fourth-round away match against Betis, the team looked powerless: possession was abundant in attack, but the final pass and finishing both collapsed.

Betis' approach was not complicated.

Pellegrini kept the defensive line very deep, packed five players into midfield, and cut off Real Madrid's central penetration routes.

Real Madrid could only stretch play through the flanks, making crosses and long-range shots the main methods.

This setup was not new; several mid-to-lower-table La Liga teams used it last season, but Betis executed it more thoroughly.

They recorded 21 clearances and 26 tackles, with a defensive duel success rate of 55%.

The true turning point came in the 15th minute.

After receiving the ball centrally, Guler delivered a precise through pass. Vinicius advanced into the box unmarked, but his low shot hit the post and bounced away.

It was Real Madrid's closest chance to score in the match.

For the following more than 70 minutes, Real Madrid took more and more shots, but their quality declined.

The issue was not a lack of space; the final touch was always missing.

In the 81st minute, Betis won a right-side corner. Courtois saved the initial header, but substitute Parrott followed up to score the rebound.

One set piece and one rebound exposed a momentary lapse in concentration across Real Madrid's defensive system.

Mourinho said at the press conference that Betis 'came for a draw but hit the jackpot.'

It sounded like a polite remark, but it also reflected a fact: Betis did not expect to win, and Real Madrid did not expect to lose.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Vinicius was brought down by Nathan inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty.

Mbappe took the penalty, but goalkeeper Valles saved it with a dive.

Twenty shots and 3.16 expected goals, but the number on the scoreboard was ultimately 0.

This was not the first time Real Madrid had struggled at Betis' home ground.

In their previous five La Liga away matches against Betis, Real Madrid failed to win.

Mourinho encountered similar difficulties during his first spell managing Real Madrid, eventually solving them by adjusting midfield structure and attacking rhythm.

But this time the problem is more specific than an away curse: it is the division of midfield responsibilities and the efficiency of transitions between attack and defense.

The information package mentioned Camavinga, Valverde, and Bernardo Silva as candidates for midfield core roles in Mourinho's new system, but their exact playing times and tactical roles in this match have not been officially confirmed.

What is clear is that after long periods of possession, Real Madrid did not effectively restrict Betis' counterattacks and set-piece threats, with gaps appearing in midfield coverage and recovery speed.

The three-game winning streak covered up this issue, but it could not hold up when a tougher match arrived.

Mourinho also expressed some dissatisfaction with refereeing after the match, saying Guler's first-half yellow card was too harsh.

However, he did not blame the defeat on the referee and admitted that the team needed to improve its attacking finishing.

This is consistent with his usual style: looking for reasons within his own team first.

From the standings, the cost of this defeat was not significant.

After the fourth round of La Liga, Barcelona led with three wins and nine points, while Real Madrid and Betis also had nine points in second and third respectively, with goal difference placing Real Madrid second.

The season has only just begun, and one away defeat will not change the overall situation.

However, Real Madrid's attacking model relies heavily on individual star quality.

Mbappe had seven shots with four on target and 1.78 expected goals but no goal; Vinicius had pace and dribbling ability, but failed with his final touch and penalty opportunity.

When opponents maximize defensive intensity and deny easy shooting opportunities, the ceiling of this style becomes limited.

The opponents during the three-match winning run were not strong enough to expose this weakness.

Betis, in contrast, became the beneficiary.

The team was fighting relegation last season, but after Pellegrini's arrival, it earned valuable points through compact defending and efficient counterattacks.

A substitute player like Parrott deciding the match at a key moment shows that squad depth is becoming increasingly important in La Liga's mid-table competition.

Real Madrid will now enter the international break, with the team's national players returning to their respective countries.

Mourinho will have time to refine attacking finishing details in training and reconsider the playing-time distribution among the three midfielders.

When La Liga resumes and the Champions League group stage arrives, Real Madrid's ability to improve attacking efficiency and midfield coverage together will face its first real test during a congested schedule.

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