Real Betis Balompié earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the fourth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports. Irish striker Troy Parrott, the club's most expensive summer signing, scored the only goal in the 81st minute to secure all three points for his side.
The match took place at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville in front of 66,046 spectators. Manager Manuel Pellegrini fielded Álvaro Valles in goal, with a defence of Bellerín, Llorente, Natan, and Fran García. In midfield, Bernal and Marc Roca had the tough job of containing a Madrid side boasting stars like Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé. Betis, now seventh in the standings with 6 points, showed impressive defensive solidity to hold off the provisional league leaders.
How did the match unfold?
The first half was an end-to-end affair with clear chances for both teams. Álvaro Valles was important from the start, saving a close-range header from Huijsen in the 11th minute. Soon after, Vinícius hit the woodwork. Betis responded with a great move involving Isco and Antony that ended with a Cucho Hernández shot striking the post. Madrid, managed by José Mourinho, had another big chance on a counter-attack involving Arda Güler, Bellingham, and Vinícius, but Mbappé's first effort was blocked by Natan and the rebound cleared by Marc Bartra, who had come on earlier.
In the second half, Betis gained more control in midfield thanks to Pablo Fornals. The introduction of players like Fidalgo and Deossa added energy. The goal came from a set piece: a corner headed by Deossa was cleared, but the rebound fell to Troy Parrott, who made no mistake. "The Irish striker, the most expensive signing of the green-and-white summer, lived up to his goalscorer reputation in his third official match," said coach Manuel Pellegrini.
How did Betis's defence perform?
The win was built on an excellent collective performance, particularly at the back. Álvaro Valles was a wall with several key saves. The defence, led by Natan and with the experience of Bartra from the bench, managed to minimise the threat of Bellingham and Vinícius for most of the game. Even Kylian Mbappé missed two clear chances in front of a semi-open goal. The team maintained concentration until the end, weathering Madrid's pressure in a nerve-wracking stoppage time. The ABC Color Deportes report noted: "With the score against them and time running out, Real Madrid gritted their teeth in a heart-stopping added time where they came close to equalising twice."
What is Betis's position in the table?
With this win, Real Betis Balompié has secured its second consecutive league victory and sits in seventh place with 6 points, just three behind leaders Barcelona. Their goal difference stands at 4 scored and 5 conceded. This result gives Pellegrini's team a huge boost ahead of a demanding schedule. You can check the team's full progress on our standings page.
What's next for the team?
Real Betis Balompié's next fixture is a trip to the Cerámica to face Villarreal on September 14th. The Yellow Submarine currently occupies 15th place, making it an important match to continue picking up points away from home. The team will travel with high morale after this historic win over Real Madrid. For all the details on the upcoming schedule, visit our fixtures section.
