Substitute Troy Parrott scored the only goal of the game in the 81st minute, and goalkeeper Álvaro Valles produced a decisive save from Kylian Mbappé’s stoppage-time penalty to secure a memorable win for the hosts.
The result ends Real Madrid’s perfect start to the 2026/27 season. Mourinho’s side had won their opening three league matches since the Portuguese coach returned to the club for a second spell, but they were unable to break down a resilient Betis defence on a frustrating evening in Seville.
Madrid dominated large periods of the first half and created several clear opportunities. Vinícius Júnior struck the post from an Arda Güler cross, while Mbappé was denied twice by important blocks from Natan and Marc Bartra. The visitors continued to control possession after the break but struggled to find a clinical edge in the final third.
Betis grew in confidence as the game wore on. In the 81st minute, Thibaut Courtois produced a fine save to keep out a header from Nelson Deossa at a corner, but the rebound fell kindly for Parrott. The Republic of Ireland international reacted quickest and fired into the roof of the net for his first goal since joining Betis from AZ Alkmaar in the summer.
Madrid pushed hard for an equaliser. Mbappé clipped the crossbar with a delicate effort, and substitute Carlos Espí thought he had levelled the scores with a spectacular bicycle kick from a Vinícius cross in the 87th minute. However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for an earlier offside.
Deep into stoppage time, Natan brought down Vinícius inside the area to concede a penalty. Mbappé stepped up, but Valles guessed correctly and saved the spot-kick. A subsequent VAR check for encroachment did not result in a retake, and Betis held on for a famous victory.
Mourinho was left frustrated by the outcome. “I don’t know how we lost because we played very well collectively. I cannot fault the attitude of any of my players. We deserved to win but deserving to win does not give you points,” the Real Madrid manager said afterwards.
The defeat leaves Madrid on nine points from four matches, level with Betis and Barcelona. Attention now turns to their UEFA Champions League league-phase opener against Inter Milan next week, as Mourinho’s side look to bounce back quickly from their first setback of the campaign.