Manuel Pellegrini has responded to Jose Mourinho’s criticism of Real Madrid’s opponents after Real Betis secured a 1-0 home victory over the Spanish champions in the fourth round of the Spanish championship.

The result was the central event of the match, with Real Betis taking all three points against Real Madrid on home soil. The narrow scoreline was enough to give Pellegrini’s side victory, while Mourinho’s team left empty-handed after the fourth-round fixture.

The match also became the subject of a post-game disagreement. After the final whistle, Mourinho complained about what he regarded as rough treatment from Real Betis players during the contest. Pellegrini subsequently spoke to journalists and addressed the concerns raised by the Real Madrid manager.

The exchange placed additional focus on the nature of the match beyond the single goal that decided it. Although the result was settled by a one-goal margin, Mourinho’s reaction ensured that attention remained on the physical side of the game and on the conduct of the players involved.

Pellegrini’s comments came in his capacity as Real Betis manager following a significant home win over one of the leading sides in Spain. The victory meant that the 1-0 scoreline formed the immediate sporting outcome, while Mourinho’s complaint provided the main talking point after the match.

For Real Madrid, the defeat was a setback in the fourth round of the Spanish championship. Mourinho’s post-match remarks made clear that he was dissatisfied with the way he felt his players had been treated by the opposition. His criticism was directed at the actions of Real Betis players rather than at the result alone.

For Pellegrini, the task was to respond publicly after his side had completed an important home success. His media appearance followed the same match in which Real Betis defeated Real Madrid, linking the manager’s response directly to Mourinho’s complaint.

The meeting therefore produced two immediate headlines: Real Betis’ 1-0 victory and the disagreement that followed between the managers. The result remained the most important fact from the fourth-round fixture, but Mourinho’s comments and Pellegrini’s answer added a further layer to the aftermath.

No further details of the exchange were provided beyond Mourinho’s complaint about rough actions by Real Betis players and Pellegrini’s subsequent response to journalists. The match itself ended with Real Betis winning 1-0 at home against Real Madrid.

Konstantin Genich has shared his assessment of the meeting between Athletic Club and Atletico de Madrid, who face one another in the fourth round of the Spanish championship.

Atletico de Madrid will travel to Bilbao for the fixture, with the match scheduled to take place at a stadium in the Basque city today, 5 September. Kick-off is set for 17:15 Moscow time.

The game will bring together Athletic Club, the home side, and Atletico de Madrid in an early-season league encounter. Genich, a well-known football commentator, has discussed the prospects of the two teams before they meet.

The available report identifies Genich’s view as the main talking point around the match. It does not include the full wording of his assessment or reproduce a direct quotation, but records that he has shared his thoughts on the contest and selected a preferred outcome.

Athletic Club will have home advantage in Bilbao, while Atletico de Madrid will be attempting to collect a result away from home. The fixture is part of the fourth round of the Spanish championship, placing both teams at an early stage of the competition.

No further details about the teams’ line-ups, recent results or tactical plans are provided in the report. The focus remains on Genich’s pre-match opinion and the scheduled meeting between the two clubs.

Supporters will be able to follow events from the pitch through Liveresult.ru’s text-based live coverage. The online service will track the progress of the match as it unfolds in Bilbao.

The fixture is due to begin at 17:15 Moscow time on 5 September. It will be played at a stadium in Bilbao, with Athletic Club listed as the home team and Atletico de Madrid as the visitors.

Genich’s comments provide the principal pre-match angle in the report, ahead of a contest that forms part of the fourth round of the Spanish championship. His assessment comes before the teams take to the field, while the result and the course of the match will be decided during the scheduled meeting.

For those unable to watch the match, Liveresult.ru’s text online broadcast will provide an alternative way to keep track of the action. The service is expected to report the key developments throughout the game, beginning with kick-off at 17:15 Moscow time.

The match venue is in Bilbao, where Athletic Club will host Atletico de Madrid on 5 September. The fixture’s importance is framed by the two clubs’ involvement in the fourth round of the Spanish championship, while Genich’s opinion provides the central pre-match prediction.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has criticised the behaviour of Real Betis players and accused them of simulation following his side’s 1-0 defeat in the fourth round of the Spanish championship.

The match was decided by a late goal, with Real Madrid conceding in the 81st minute. The result left Mourinho’s team on the wrong side of a narrow contest against Real Betis, who secured victory with the only goal of the game.

Mourinho’s comments focused on the conduct of the Betis players during the match. He questioned their actions and claimed that some incidents involved simulation. The report does not provide the exact wording of his remarks, but identifies the behaviour of the opposition as the main subject of his reaction after the defeat.

For Real Madrid, the loss came despite the small margin between the two teams on the scoreboard. Real Betis scored once, while Mourinho’s side failed to find an equaliser before the final whistle. The outcome meant that the visitors left the match without a point after conceding late in the game.

The defeat was recorded in the fourth round of the Spanish championship and formed part of a difficult period for Real Madrid, with a European fixture already next on their schedule. On 8 September, Mourinho’s players are due to play at home against Inter in the opening round of the Champions League.

That match will give Real Madrid an immediate opportunity to respond after the setback against Real Betis. It will also mark the start of their Champions League campaign, with Mourinho preparing his squad for the first round of the competition.

The comments about simulation therefore came after a match in which the decisive moment arrived late. Real Betis’ 81st-minute goal was enough to settle the contest, while Real Madrid were unable to recover during the remaining minutes.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the post-match focus was not limited to the result. Mourinho also drew attention to the behaviour he believed had influenced the way the game was played. His criticism of the Real Betis players added a further talking point to a match already defined by a late winning goal and Real Madrid’s failure to score.

Real Madrid’s next fixture against Inter will be played at home on 8 September in the Champions League’s first round. It follows the 1-0 loss to Real Betis, in which the only goal arrived nine minutes before the end of normal time.

Jose Mourinho praised Carlos Espi’s performance after the 21-year-old forward made an immediate impact from the bench for Real Madrid against Real Betis, despite seeing a spectacular late effort ruled out by the referee following a VAR review.

Espi was introduced in the 82nd minute of Friday’s La Liga match, shortly after Real Madrid had conceded the only goal of the game. The forward quickly found himself at the centre of the action, scoring five minutes after coming on with an overhead kick.

However, the effort did not stand. The referee sought assistance from VAR before cancelling the goal, leaving Real Madrid trailing and unable to find an equaliser. The match ended 1-0 to Real Betis.

Mourinho, Real Madrid’s head coach, assessed Espi’s display positively, with the youngster showing his ability to influence the game almost immediately after being brought on.

The forward’s appearance came during a difficult spell for the Madrid side. Real Madrid had fallen behind and needed a response, with Espi among the players introduced in an attempt to change the course of the match. His overhead kick briefly appeared to have delivered that response before the intervention of VAR.

Although the goal was disallowed, Espi’s involvement provided the most notable moment of his short appearance. He had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he found the net, underlining how quickly he became involved after replacing a team-mate.

The result meant Real Madrid finished the match without scoring and suffered a 1-0 defeat by Real Betis. Espi’s effort therefore did not alter the outcome, but his contribution was recognised by Mourinho.

Espi joined Real Madrid from Levante last summer. The move brought the 21-year-old into Mourinho’s squad, and his late introduction against Real Betis offered him an opportunity to make an impression in La Liga.

His appearance was brief, but the sequence of events was significant: he entered the game in the 82nd minute, scored in the 87th, and then saw the goal removed from the contest after the referee consulted VAR. Real Madrid could not recover in the remaining stages of the match.

Mourinho’s comments focused on Espi’s ability to carry out his role after coming on, while the disallowed strike remained the defining incident of the forward’s contribution. For Real Madrid, the final score was unchanged, with Real Betis taking victory and the Madrid club left without a goal.

Real Madrid’s narrow 1-0 defeat by Real Betis in the fourth round of La Liga has prompted former CSKA Moscow footballer Oleg Kornaukhov to give his assessment of what is lacking at the Spanish club.

The result in Seville left Real Madrid with nine points from their opening four league matches. They remain second in the La Liga table, despite suffering their first defeat of the campaign against Real Betis.

Kornaukhov was asked to comment on the performance of the “royal club” following the loss and responded to the question of what Real Madrid currently lack. His remarks came after a match in which the Madrid side were beaten by a single goal.

Real Betis secured the victory at home, edging out Real Madrid 1-0 in a closely contested fourth-round fixture. The scoreline represented a minimal defeat for the visitors, but it was enough to deny them further points in their latest La Liga outing.

The result means Real Madrid’s record after four matches stands at three wins and one loss, leaving them on nine points overall. That total places them second in the standings at this stage of the Spanish championship.

For Real Betis, the match brought a victory over one of the league’s leading clubs. Their success in Seville ensured that Real Madrid left the fixture without adding to their points tally, while the visitors’ position near the top of the table was nevertheless maintained.

Kornaukhov’s comments focus attention on the reasons behind Real Madrid’s performance and on the areas in which the team may need improvement. The former CSKA Moscow player’s assessment follows a result that was decided by the narrowest possible margin.

Real Madrid’s defeat was recorded in the fourth round of the Spanish league, meaning the club still has the majority of the season ahead of it. With nine points from four games, the team remains close to the top of the table, but the loss to Real Betis has provided an early talking point about the side’s level of performance.

The Madrid club will now face continued scrutiny after failing to take anything from their visit to Seville. Kornaukhov’s response adds to the discussion surrounding the team, with the former footballer addressing the question of what is missing from Real Madrid after their 1-0 reverse.

At present, the key facts are clear: Real Betis defeated Real Madrid by one goal to nil, the match was played during the fourth round of La Liga, and the visitors remain second with nine points from four matches.

Russian football expert Aleksandr Grigoryan said Real Madrid did not deserve to lose against Real Betis but criticised the team for appearing too laboured in their 1-0 defeat in Seville.

Grigoryan was speaking after the fourth round of La Liga, in which Jose Mourinho’s side suffered a narrow loss to Real Betis. The result was Real Madrid’s first defeat in the four-match sequence referred to in the report, leaving them with nine points and second place in the league table.

“Real did not deserve to lose, but the team is sluggish,” Grigoryan said.

His assessment focused on the contrast between the result and his view of Real Madrid’s performance. Although the Madrid side’s display, in his opinion, did not warrant defeat, he believed the team lacked the necessary fluency and intensity. That perceived sluggishness was central to his reaction to the match.

Real Betis secured victory by a single goal, with the final score showing a narrow 1-0 margin. Real Madrid therefore left Seville without a point, despite remaining in the leading positions of the La Liga standings after four matches.

The defeat leaves Mourinho’s team on nine points. They are second in the table, meaning the result has not taken them out of contention at this early stage of the campaign. However, the loss denied Real Madrid the opportunity to add to their points total and maintain a perfect record across the four fixtures mentioned.

Grigoryan’s comments present the match as one in which the outcome did not fully reflect what he believed Real Madrid deserved. At the same time, his criticism suggested that the team’s overall performance lacked the dynamism expected from a side competing near the top of La Liga.

The defeat was settled by the smallest possible margin, but its significance in the table is clear: Real Madrid remain second with nine points, while Real Betis claimed all three points in Seville. The match formed part of the fourth round of the Spanish top flight.

Mourinho’s side will now have to respond after being beaten 1-0, while Grigoryan’s analysis places emphasis not only on the result but also on the manner of the performance. His conclusion was that Real Madrid were not worthy of losing, yet were too slow and laboured to produce the level of play required to avoid defeat.

Dean Huijsen described Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat by Real Betis in La Liga as an undeserved result after his side dominated much of Friday’s match in Seville.

The Spain international central defender said the outcome did not reflect the balance of play, with Real Madrid producing a commanding performance without finding the goal needed to turn their advantage into points. Real Betis, however, secured victory with a late strike that settled a closely contested scoreline.

The decisive moment came in the 81st minute, when the home side scored to move in front. Real Madrid were unable to respond before the final whistle, despite their earlier control of the match.

Kylian Mbappe then had an opportunity to rescue a point in added time after Real Madrid were awarded a penalty. The forward failed to convert from the spot, leaving the visitors empty-handed and confirming a 1-0 victory for Real Betis.

Huijsen’s assessment of the match was summed up by his description of it as: “An undeserved defeat for Real Madrid.”

The result leaves Jose Mourinho’s team on nine points from their opening four league matches. Real Betis have collected the same number of points, while Barcelona also have nine points but have played one match fewer.

For Real Madrid, the defeat represents a missed opportunity to add to their points total after a match in which their performance was considered stronger than the final score suggested. Their inability to convert their advantage into a goal, followed by Mbappe’s missed penalty, proved costly.

Real Betis, meanwhile, made the most of the crucial opening created late in the game. Their 81st-minute goal was enough to decide the contest, despite Real Madrid’s efforts to remain in control.

The penalty in added time offered the clearest chance for Real Madrid to avoid defeat, but its failure to find the net ensured that Betis claimed all three points. The result leaves both teams level on nine points after four rounds of the Spanish championship, while Barcelona remain on the same total with a game in hand.

Real Betis defender Marc Bartra has revealed that he personally asked the referee about the decision not to order a retake of Kylian Mbappe’s missed penalty in Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat.

Mbappe stepped up in the 94th minute with Real Madrid seeking an equaliser, but the France forward was unable to beat Real Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles from the spot. The save helped the Seville side secure victory.

The penalty incident has since prompted considerable debate. Bartra appeared to have one foot beyond the penalty-area line when Mbappe took the kick, leading some observers to argue that the attempt should have been retaken.

Bartra, who plays at centre-back for Real Betis, said he had asked the referee himself about the episode. His intervention focused on why Real Madrid were not given another opportunity after Mbappe’s effort was saved by Valles.

The decision became one of the main talking points from a match ultimately settled by Troy Parrott. The forward scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute, giving Real Betis a 1-0 win.

Mbappe’s late penalty miss therefore remained the decisive moment in the closing stages. Although the kick was saved, attention turned to Bartra’s position as it was taken and whether that should have led to further action from the referee.

The incident created uncertainty around the application of the rules in the final moments, with some believing Bartra’s position meant the penalty should have been repeated. However, Real Madrid were not allowed to retake the kick and Real Betis held on for the victory.

For Bartra, the matter was significant enough to raise directly with the match official. His comments have added to the discussion surrounding the penalty, although the result remained unchanged: Parrott’s 81st-minute goal was enough to give the Seville club all three points, while Mbappe’s late attempt did not alter the outcome.

Real Betis defender Marc Bartra has responded to comments from Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho after the Seville side secured a 1-0 victory over the Spanish giants.

Mourinho said his Real Madrid players had been naive during the match, while he believed the Betis players had acted “smart” and put the referee under pressure to show yellow cards to members of the Madrid team.

Bartra has now commented on the Portuguese manager’s assessment of the game and the conduct of the players involved. His remarks came after Real Betis claimed a notable win through a late goal from Troy Parrott.

The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute, when Parrott found the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The goal left Real Madrid with limited time to find an equaliser and avoid defeat.

The capital club were handed one final opportunity in the closing stages. Real Madrid were awarded a penalty, but Kylian Mbappe failed to convert it, allowing Real Betis to hold on for victory.

Mourinho’s criticism focused on the contrast between the two teams’ approach to the match. He characterised Real Madrid’s players as naive, while describing Betis’ footballers as “smart” for the way they operated and for their ability to lead to yellow cards being shown to Madrid players.

Bartra’s comments address those remarks following a result that was decided by a single goal and preserved by Mbappe’s missed penalty. Real Betis’ success came despite the pressure applied by Real Madrid in the final moments, when the visitors had the chance to rescue a point.

The 1-0 scoreline means Parrott’s strike remained the only goal of the match. Betis’ players were able to protect their advantage after taking the lead in the 81st minute, while Real Madrid could not make their late penalty count.

For Mourinho, the defeat was accompanied by criticism of his own side’s naivety and of the way he felt Betis had influenced the referee’s disciplinary decisions. For Bartra, the discussion has centred on explaining the behaviour that Mourinho questioned after the final whistle.

The match ultimately turned on two key incidents: Parrott’s late finish for Real Betis and Mbappe’s failure to convert Real Madrid’s penalty. Together, they gave the Seville side a 1-0 win and left Mourinho to reflect on the contrasting approaches he had identified between the two teams.

Lamine Yamal has been named as one of Barcelona’s five captains for the current season, with the 19-year-old selected as the club’s fifth-choice leader after a vote among the squad.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick personally decided the first two positions in the hierarchy. Raphinha will wear the armband first, while Pedri has been appointed second captain, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The remaining three places were determined by a vote involving the players. Eric Garcia was chosen as third captain, Frenkie de Jong was placed fourth and Yamal completed the group in fifth.

Yamal’s inclusion gives the teenager a formal leadership role within Barcelona’s first-team squad, despite his position at the bottom of the captaincy order. The decision reflects his standing at the club, where he will now be among the players eligible to wear the armband when the senior options ahead of him are unavailable.

The selection also marks a change for De Jong. Flick had previously removed the Netherlands midfielder from the group of captains, but he has now been reinstated and will once again have the right to lead the side on the pitch.

De Jong is currently injured, however, meaning he is not available to take up that responsibility at present. His fourth-place position nevertheless restores him to Barcelona’s official captaincy structure for the season.

The order established by Flick and the players is therefore Raphinha, Pedri, Eric Garcia, De Jong and Yamal. The first two appointments came directly from the manager, while the squad decided the final three through its internal vote.

Barcelona’s next match will be away to Valencia on Sunday in the fourth round of La Liga. The fixture could provide the first opportunity for the club’s new leadership group to be seen in action, although De Jong’s injury means he will not be involved.

Yamal’s appointment is the most notable change in the group, making him the youngest of the five players chosen to represent the team as captain. His inclusion comes alongside two players selected by Flick and three others endorsed by their team-mates.

The captaincy arrangement will apply throughout the current campaign, with responsibility passing down the order depending on which players are available for each match.

The Spanish Technical Committee of Referees has confirmed that Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez made the correct decision during Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Real Betis, despite controversy surrounding a late penalty.

Kylian Mbappe missed from the spot in the 94th minute, with replays appearing to show Real Betis defender Marc Bartra inside the penalty area before the France forward struck the ball. However, the committee concluded that the penalty did not need to be retaken.

According to Cope, the refereeing authority reviewed the incident and determined that the decision on the field was correct. Its explanation was that only one of Bartra’s feet was beyond the penalty-area line and, at the moment Mbappe took the kick, that foot had not yet made contact with the playing surface.

That detail was central to the ruling. Although Bartra appeared to have moved into the area on the available replays, the committee considered his position at the precise instant the penalty was taken. Because the foot outside the line was still in the air, the incident did not meet the criteria required for the spot-kick to be retaken.

Hernandez Hernandez therefore did not need to order a second attempt, and Mbappe’s miss remained valid. The clarification supports the referee’s original interpretation of the incident and rejects the suggestion that Real Madrid should have been given another opportunity from 12 yards.

The decision proved costly for Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho’s side were unable to recover and were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis.

It was Real Madrid’s first setback of the current La Liga campaign, with the late penalty representing the team’s final chance to avoid defeat. Mbappe’s failure to convert meant the visitors left without a goal, while the refereeing decision became the main focus after the match.

The committee’s assessment does not change the result, but it provides an official explanation for why the penalty was allowed to stand as taken. In its view, Bartra’s position did not require a retake because the only foot beyond the penalty-area line had not touched the ground when Mbappe made contact with the ball.

As a result, Real Madrid’s 0-1 defeat remains unchanged, and the incident is now regarded by the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees as a correct application of the rules by Hernandez Hernandez.

A controversial penalty decision involving Real Madrid and Real Betis has prompted an intense debate, with questions being raised over whether the referee should have intervened after Marc Bartra appeared to enter the penalty area before Kylian Mbappe took the spot-kick.

Mbappe converted the penalty, but the kick was not ordered to be retaken. Replays appeared to show Bartra inside the penalty area before the ball was struck, while he later affected Mbappe’s ability to challenge for the rebound.

The incident has become the main focus of discussion among Spanish football observers following Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat by Real Betis. Although Mbappe successfully scored from 12 yards, the decision-making surrounding the penalty has led to questions about whether the laws were applied correctly.

Speaking on the refereeing discussion programme Tiempo de Juego, refereeing expert Pedro Martin said Bartra could be regarded as having been inside the penalty area, even though he had not yet managed to place his foot on the playing surface.

That point formed the basis of a wider debate in the studio. The experts considered whether the same principle used when determining an offside offence should also apply in this situation. If that interpretation were used, they argued, Bartra would have to be considered to have broken the rules.

The issue centres on the moment before Mbappe made contact with the ball. The replays appeared to indicate that Bartra had moved beyond the permitted position before the penalty was taken. Bartra then went on to interfere with Mbappe as the Real Madrid forward attempted to play the rebound.

Despite the apparent movement, the referee allowed the penalty to stand and did not require it to be retaken. Mbappe converted the spot-kick, but the decision did not prevent Real Madrid from suffering a 1-0 defeat against Real Betis.

The incident has also generated significant discussion on social media, where supporters have offered competing views on whether Bartra should have been penalised for his position and subsequent involvement in the play.

The studio debate acknowledged that the detail of Bartra’s positioning was central to the argument. While the replays suggested he was already in the area before the kick, Pedro Martin’s assessment focused on whether a player could be considered inside the area even without having placed a foot on the turf.

That interpretation was then compared with the way officials assess offside positions. The experts said applying that same approach would mean Bartra should be treated as having committed an offence.

The controversy therefore remains focused not on whether Mbappe scored the penalty he did but on whether the kick should have been stopped and retaken because of Bartra’s position and later involvement. Real Madrid’s defeat has ensured the decision continues to attract attention among fans and commentators.

Real Betis held their nerve to beat Real Madrid 1-0 as Troy Parrott scored a late winner and Alvaro Valles saved Kylian Mbappe’s stoppage-time penalty, handing Jose Mourinho his first defeat since returning to the club.

The result extended Betis’ unbeaten home head-to-head record against Real Madrid to five matches, with two wins and three draws. It also moved Manuel Pellegrini’s side joint top of La Liga alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, with all three clubs on nine points.

Real Madrid began with clear attacking intent and spent the opening stages attempting to silence the home crowd. Dean Huijsen came closest to opening the scoring early on, but, stretching to meet a deep cross, he could only direct his effort into the hands of Valles.

The Betis goalkeeper was beaten a few minutes later, although the hosts were rescued by the post. Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler combined neatly around the edge of the penalty area before Vinicius Junior struck the upright from a tight angle.

That opportunity prompted a response from Betis, who gradually began to threaten. Antony was their most dangerous player during that spell, winning several corners and testing Thibaut Courtois with a low effort that forced the Real Madrid goalkeeper into a diving save at his near post.

Real Madrid remained the more threatening team before half-time and Betis needed two outstanding defensive interventions to stay level. Mbappe appeared certain to score after Vinicius Junior unselfishly picked him out, but Natan and Marc Bartra both blocked his attempts on the goal line.

Mbappe went close again shortly after the interval, sending a curling shot narrowly wide. However, Real Madrid were unable to sustain their early pressure and Betis looked increasingly comfortable defending their own penalty area.

Jose Mourinho responded by making three substitutions shortly after the hour mark in an attempt to change the momentum. Pellegrini also made changes, and one of his replacements helped produce the decisive moment with 10 minutes remaining.

Courtois did well to reach Nelson Deossa’s header from a corner and keep it out, but the ball fell loose inside the six-yard box. Parrott reacted quickest, converting from close range to give Betis the lead.

There was still time for further drama. Carlos Espi thought he had levelled for Real Madrid, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review. Betis then conceded a penalty deep into added time after Natan made a clumsy challenge on Vinicius Junior.

Mbappe took his time before beginning his run-up, but his penalty lacked power and direction. Valles read the attempt correctly and made the save that secured all three points for Betis.

The defeat is Mourinho’s first in his second spell in charge of Real Madrid and leaves his side facing a difficult response ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener against another of his former clubs, Inter Milan.

Valles was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match for his decisive contribution at both ends of the contest.

Real Madrid’s difficult Friday evening ended with Vinicius Junior being shown a yellow card after the final whistle, following their 1-0 defeat by Real Betis away from home.

The Madrid side were unable to find a way back into the match despite pushing for an equaliser during the closing stages. Their efforts to rescue a result ultimately came to nothing, with Real Betis holding on to claim victory.

Real Madrid were also handed an opportunity from the penalty spot, but Kylian Mbappe was unable to beat the goalkeeper. The missed penalty meant the visitors could not take advantage of one of their clearest chances to get back into the contest.

Vinicius Junior’s booking came after the match had officially ended. The Real Madrid forward became involved in an argument with the referee while emotions were still high, and the incident resulted in a yellow card for the Brazil international.

The caution was therefore issued after the final whistle rather than during the match itself. It added an unusual final detail to an evening in which Real Madrid had already been frustrated by their inability to score against Real Betis.

Although the visitors tried to alter the outcome late on, they could not prevent a defeat. The result left Jose Mourinho preparing his side for a quick return to action as Real Madrid turn their attention to Europe.

Their next fixture will be a home match in the Champions League against Inter. The two teams are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 8 September.

That match will give Real Madrid the chance to respond on home ground after their setback at Real Betis. For Mourinho’s team, the immediate focus will be on preparing for the Champions League contest, while the late booking for Vinicius Junior remains one of the main talking points from the defeat.

The loss was particularly frustrating because Real Madrid had continued to search for an equaliser in the final part of the game. However, the missed penalty and their failure to convert their late pressure into a goal left them without any points.

Vinicius Junior’s exchange with the referee occurred only once the result had been confirmed. His yellow card did not change the score, but it brought the match to an eventful conclusion for the forward after Real Madrid had been beaten 1-0 by Real Betis.

Real Madrid suffered their first La Liga defeat since Jose Mourinho returned as head coach after losing 1-0 away to Real Betis on Friday evening.

The result leaves Mourinho’s side facing the possibility of losing ground at the top of the table. Real Madrid and Barcelona both have nine points, but Barcelona can move clear when they play their fixture on Sunday.

Real Madrid pushed forward in the closing stages as they searched for an equaliser, but their attempts to rescue a point ultimately came to nothing. Carlos Espi appeared to have scored for the visitors, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The clearest opportunity arrived from the penalty spot. Kylian Mbappe took responsibility for the kick, sending his effort towards the left-hand side of the goal from his perspective. However, the goalkeeper read the attempt and made the save.

That moment summed up a frustrating evening for Real Madrid, who were unable to find a way past Real Betis despite their late pressure. The defeat means Mourinho’s team have now been beaten for the first time in La Liga since his return to the Madrid club.

Real Betis held on to protect their 1-0 advantage, while Real Madrid were left to reflect on missed chances and a disallowed goal. The visitors’ late attacking spell offered them a route back into the match, but the offside decision against Carlos Espi and Mbappe’s unsuccessful penalty prevented them from taking anything from the game.

Barcelona’s game on Sunday now carries added significance in the standings. With both clubs currently level on nine points, a win for the Catalan side would allow them to open up a gap over Real Madrid.

For Mourinho, the defeat is an early setback after his return to the Real Madrid bench. His side showed urgency in the final phase of the match, but that response was not enough to overturn Real Betis’ lead. The missed penalty from Mbappe proved especially costly as Real Madrid failed to score for the first time in this particular league match and left empty-handed from their trip.

Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season as Real Betis secured a 1-0 victory in Seville, with Kylian Mbappe missing a late penalty and a second-half equaliser ruled out by VAR.

The result ended Real Madrid’s perfect start after three La Liga matches. Real Betis moved level with Jose Mourinho’s side on nine points, while Barcelona can go three points clear if they beat Valencia on Sunday.

The match opened the fourth round of the Spanish top flight on Friday, with Real Madrid wearing pink for the first time in the league this season.

Madrid did not begin with the expected wave of attacks, but they created the first clear openings. Mbappe lifted a pass into the right side of the Betis penalty area for Denzel Dumfries, who sent the ball back into the middle. Vinicius Junior then delicately lifted his effort just wide of the left post.

On 11 minutes, Dean Huijsen met a diagonal ball from the right and stabbed an effort towards goal while falling. Alvaro Valles was able to keep it out.

Real Madrid had registered five shots by the 15th minute. Mbappe found Arda Guler, whose cross from the right left Valles stranded, but Vinicius struck the near post of an unguarded goal. Huijsen was also prominent at the other end of the pitch and appeared to use his elbow to intercept the ball without being penalised.

Betis grew into the contest before the hydration break. Antony controlled the ball before setting up Cucho Hernandez, whose attempt missed the far corner. After play resumed, Vinicius could not reach a pass from Guler inside the area.

The next stoppage came after Diego Llorente collided with team-mate Marc Roca. Llorente was replaced by Marc Bartra.

Real Madrid finished the half strongly. Guler released Jude Bellingham, who played Vinicius through on goal. Vinicius chose to square the ball rather than shoot, but Mbappe somehow failed to score twice in quick succession despite Valles being out of position. Nathan and Bartra blocked the Frenchman’s efforts.

Bellingham then missed the far corner from near the left side of the six-yard box before seeing another attempt saved by Valles after a Vinicius corner. Bellingham also tried to find Mbappe, but the forward’s first touch let him down.

The final action of the opening period saw Huijsen head a corner against the crossbar.

Betis adopted a more cautious approach after the interval, while Real Madrid became less effective in attack. Mourinho was booked for protesting against Konate’s yellow card.

On 68 minutes, Huijsen made a long-reaching challenge, moved towards the left touchline and sent the ball forward for Mbappe. The striker’s effort lacked power and went straight into Valles’ hands. Mbappe was also unable to control Bellingham’s pass soon afterwards.

The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw, but Betis finally broke the deadlock. A corner from the right was headed towards goal by Deossa under pressure from Huijsen. Thibaut Courtois saved the initial effort, but Parrott followed up to put the rebound into the net.

Real Madrid thought they had equalised when Vinicius found Espi from the opposite flank. Espi finished in the left corner from close range, but VAR identified an offside earlier in the move. The referee’s raised arm confirmed that the goal would not stand.

Courtois then prevented Deossa from doubling Betis’ advantage with a save from distance.

In stoppage time, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after Vinicius reached the left byline and crossed before Nathan slid into him. Mbappe sent the spot-kick towards the left side of the goal, but Valles saved.

Bartra had entered the penalty area before the kick was taken and then cleared the rebound. Referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez initially appeared to consider ordering a retake, but ultimately allowed play to continue with a corner.

Mbappe delivered the corner from the left, and Espi headed towards the target, only for Valles to make another important save.

Vinicius was booked for unsporting behaviour after the final whistle, as Real Madrid’s first failure to win this season ended in defeat rather than a draw.

Jose Mourinho criticised the refereeing after Real Madrid were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis, saying the Andalusian side had been “smarter than us” during the match.

The Real Madrid head coach discussed the officials after his team suffered defeat against Real Betis. Mourinho’s assessment focused on the way the game was managed, with the visitors ultimately losing by a single goal.

“Real Betis were smarter than us,” Mourinho said.

The only goal of the match came in the 81st minute, when Troy Parrott scored for Real Betis. His strike settled a game which had remained goalless until the closing stages and gave Betis a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid.

There was still a late opportunity for Real Madrid to change the outcome. In stoppage time, Kylian Mbappe was given a penalty, but he did not convert it. The missed spot-kick meant Real Madrid were unable to equalise, and Real Betis held on for the win.

Mourinho’s comments came after a match in which the result was decided by Parrott’s late goal and Mbappe’s unsuccessful penalty. The Real Madrid manager’s reference to Betis being “smarter” was made in the context of his remarks about the refereeing.

With the penalty not converted in added time, Real Madrid finished the match without scoring. Real Betis’ goal in the 81st minute therefore remained enough to secure the 1-0 result.

Parrott’s goal was the decisive moment of the contest, while Mbappe’s failure from the spot represented Real Madrid’s final chance to avoid defeat. Mourinho subsequently turned his attention to the officiating and offered a brief assessment of the two teams’ approach to the match.

The result left Real Madrid on the wrong side of a narrow scoreline despite the late penalty award. Real Betis, meanwhile, came away with victory after scoring once in the final stages and preventing their opponents from finding a response.

Mourinho’s post-match verdict was summed up by his comparison of the teams: “Real Betis were smarter than us.”

Jose Mourinho said a Real Betis player was “pretending to be dead” as he explained the yellow card he received during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat in La Liga.

The Real Madrid head coach was cautioned in the 55th minute of the match, which ended with the visitors suffering their first defeat since the return of the “Special One”. Mourinho was later asked about the incident and responded: “Betis player was pretending to be dead.”

Real Betis scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute, leaving Real Madrid unable to recover before the final whistle. The result marked a first loss for the team since Mourinho’s return, while the yellow card became one of the notable moments involving the Portuguese manager during the contest.

The match remained finely balanced until the decisive goal arrived in the closing stages. Real Betis then held on to their advantage, with Real Madrid needing a late opportunity to rescue a result.

That chance came in the 94th minute when Kylian Mbappe was awarded a penalty. However, the forward was unable to convert from the spot, ending Real Madrid’s hopes of avoiding defeat.

Mourinho’s booking came well before Real Betis found the net, but the manager’s explanation afterwards focused on what he viewed as an exaggerated reaction from a player of the home side. His description of the incident provided the central point of his response when questioned about the caution.

Despite the late penalty opportunity, Real Madrid finished the match without scoring. Real Betis’s goal in the 81st minute therefore proved enough to secure a 1-0 victory and inflict the first defeat of Mourinho’s latest spell in charge.

The result was settled by a single goal, while Mbappe’s missed penalty in stoppage time ensured that Real Betis kept their narrow lead. Mourinho’s yellow card in the 55th minute, and his subsequent comment about the behaviour of a Real Betis player, added an extra talking point to a match in which the home side ultimately took all the available points.

Mohamed Abdelkarim says his son Hamza’s first-team debut for Barcelona was not a surprise to the family after the Egyptian forward made his first official appearance for the Catalan club.

Hamza Abdelkarim was introduced as a substitute in Barcelona’s 5-2 La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano last Monday. The appearance marked the first time he had played for the club’s senior side in a competitive fixture.

His father, Mohamed, spoke about the milestone and offered an insight into the player’s character. He said the debut had not come unexpectedly, suggesting that Hamza’s progress had been clear to those closest to him.

The match against Rayo Vallecano provided Abdelkarim with his first opportunity to represent Barcelona’s first team in an official La Liga game. His involvement came from the substitutes’ bench, with Barcelona completing a 5-2 result.

Abdelkarim is Egyptian and previously played in his home country for Al Ahly. His move to Barcelona cost the Catalan club €1.5m.

The transfer represents a significant step in the young forward’s career, taking him from Al Ahly to one of European football’s most recognised clubs. His first-team involvement now means he has made the transition from developing within the club structure to appearing in an official match for Barcelona’s senior side.

Mohamed’s comments focused both on the debut itself and on his son’s personality as a footballer. The available report does not provide further details about the qualities he highlighted when discussing Hamza’s character, but it records that the family did not regard the Barcelona appearance as a shock.

For Barcelona, the 5-2 meeting with Rayo Vallecano was the match in which Abdelkarim made that landmark appearance. For his family, however, it was presented as the latest stage of a progression that had already been anticipated.

The forward’s route to the Barcelona first team began with Al Ahly in Egypt before his €1.5m transfer to the Catalan club. His substitute appearance in La Liga has now added an important entry to his career record, while Mohamed’s assessment underlined the confidence surrounding his son’s development.

No further match details about Abdelkarim’s contribution are included in the source report. The central point remains that the Egyptian attacker has made his official Barcelona debut, and that his father believes the occasion was consistent with the progress he had already shown.

Real Madrid have expressed their frustration with the refereeing decisions made during their 1-0 away defeat by Real Betis, arguing that the officials might have reached different conclusions if Barcelona had been involved instead.

The Madrid club’s dissatisfaction centres on two incidents from the closing stages of the match. First, a goal scored by Carlos Espi was ruled out for offside. Later, the referee declined to order a retake of a penalty after no early encroachment by Real Betis players was identified.

Kylian Mbappe then missed the resulting spot-kick, leaving Real Madrid without a goal and confirming a narrow defeat on the road. The decision not to have the penalty taken again has become a particular source of anger within the Madrid camp.

The reaction was summed up by the suggestion: “If only something like this had happened to Barcelona...”

Real Madrid believe the decisions applied against them represented a different standard from the one they feel might have been used in a comparable situation involving their rivals. Their complaint is not focused solely on the penalty, but also on the disallowed goal that denied them the opportunity to level the contest.

Carlos Espi’s effort was cancelled because he was judged to have been in an offside position. The decision meant the Madrid side did not benefit from what would have been a late equaliser, while the subsequent penalty incident offered another opportunity to change the outcome.

However, the referee did not order the kick to be retaken because there was no established evidence that Real Betis players had entered the penalty area too early. Mbappe’s unsuccessful attempt therefore stood, and Real Madrid’s deficit remained until the final whistle.

The combination of the disallowed goal and the missed penalty has intensified the club’s criticism of the officiating. From Real Madrid’s perspective, both moments carried significant consequences: one removed a potential goal from the scoreboard, while the other denied them another chance from twelve yards.

Real Betis ultimately held on to win by the minimum margin, with the 1-0 result leaving Real Madrid to reflect on missed opportunities as well as the decisions that shaped the closing stages.

The defeat has also brought renewed attention to the longstanding sensitivity surrounding refereeing decisions involving Spain’s leading clubs. In this instance, Real Madrid’s view is that the outcome might have been different had the same incidents occurred in a match involving Barcelona.