Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end at La Cartuja, where a Troy Parrott goal gave Real Betis a 1-0 win and handed Jose Mourinho his first domestic defeat since returning to the club. The result drops Madrid to third in LaLiga on nine points from four games, level with Betis but behind Deportivo Alaves on goal difference. What made the loss particularly painful was Kylian Mbappe missing a stoppage-time penalty that would have salvaged a point, a moment that has since generated significant controversy. Mourinho reacted sharply after the final whistle, criticising the officiating and questioning VAR's handling of decisions involving Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, while also suggesting his players were outfoxed by a more streetwise Betis side. Betis defender Marc Bartra later revealed that his decisive intervention after the penalty save was part of a rehearsed tactic developed after consulting a former referee on encroachment rules, adding further frustration to Madrid's camp.

The injury situation continues to worsen. Marc Cucurella was forced off with cramps against Betis and is now a doubt for Tuesday's Champions League opener against Inter Milan at the Bernabeu, joining a lengthy list that already includes Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Endrick. Mourinho has also excluded Mendy from the European squad entirely. Against that backdrop, Vinicius Junior has publicly guaranteed Champions League glory this season, and Mbappe has cited his World Cup Golden Shoe as grounds for Ballon d'Or consideration, giving the squad a defiant public tone despite the mounting pressure on the pitch.