Agencies
Fri 4 Sep 2026 18.11 EDT
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Real Madrid’s perfect start to the La Liga season ended on Friday when Real Betis beat them 1-0, with the substitute Troy Parrott scoring nine minutes from time and goalkeeper Alvaro Valles saving a stoppage-time penalty from Kylian Mbappé.
The clash began at a high tempo but the pace dropped after the interval in the heat in Seville. Parrott, introduced in the 68th minute, broke the deadlock in the 81st when he reacted quickly after Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois parried a header into his path.
Mbappé struck the crossbar four minutes later before the substitute Carlos Espí met a cross from Vinícius Júnior with a spectacular bicycle kick, only for the equaliser to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Tough start for PSG but Luis Enrique has faith in burst of ‘new energy’ from signings Read more
Nelson Deossa then nearly sealed the victory for hosts Betis with a long-range effort after spotting Courtois off his line, but the goalkeeper recovered to make the save.
José Mourinho’s Madrid got one final opportunity when Natan brought down Vinícius inside the area deep into stoppage time, but Valles saved Mbappé’s spot-kick to preserve Betis’s lead and secure the three points.
Paris Saint-Germain looked to be on their way to their first Ligue 1 win of the season when Marquinhos put the host ahead in the 31st minute, but Monaco rallied with goals by Flavio Nazinho in the 58th minute and Stanis Idumbo in the 72nd. Monaco lead the table as the only team to win their opening three games.
PSG had already drawn 2-2 with Rennes and Lille in their first two games and also lost the French Super Cup to Lens 1-0 last month.
The first league defeat came hours after PSG announced contract extensions for coach Luis Enrique and several players.
João Neves, Lucas Beraldo, Senny Mayulu and Willian Pacho all signed new deals through to 2031, while Fabian Ruiz had his contract extended until 2028.
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