Goalkeeper Álvaro Valles emerged as the hero for Real Betis Balompié by saving a Kylian Mbappé penalty in added time, securing a 1-0 league win over Real Madrid at La Cartuja stadium. The news capped a week where Betis also benefited from the red card shown to Mbappé's younger brother, Ethan, in another match.
How did Valles secure the Betis victory?
In the dying moments of the match, with Betis leading 1-0, the referee awarded a penalty to Real Madrid. Kylian Mbappé stepped up, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Álvaro Valles. The Verdiblanco keeper "celebró su acierto encarándose al francés y provocando una de las imágenes con más fuerza del triunfo liguero del Betis ante el Madrid," as he himself stated. This stop was the final, decisive act that ensured Manuel Pellegrini's side took all three points.
What happened with Ethan Mbappé?
The Mbappé brothers' bad week against Betis had another chapter days earlier in France. Ethan Mbappé, Kylian's younger brother and a Lille player, was sent off with a straight red card in a league match. The incident occurred after a comment from Brazilian defender Natan, whom Ethan "le dio un codazo en la cara que el colegiado búlgaro Kabakov sancionó como roja tras ser avisado por el VAR," according to the ABC Deportes account. Before his dismissal, the young midfielder had provided an assist for his team's opening goal.
What is Betis's current standing in La Liga?
This victory over the reigning champion is a massive boost for Real Betis Balompié's ambitions this season. The team now sits in fourth place in La Liga, with 9 points from 3 wins and 1 loss in their first 4 games. Their recent form is WLWW. In attack and defence, the Verdiblancos have scored 5 goals and conceded 5, maintaining a goal difference of 0. The win leaves them just 3 points behind leaders Barcelona in a title race that is beginning to take shape. Fans can check the updated league table on our standings page.
What's next for the Verdiblanco squad?
Riding high on confidence, Real Betis Balompié must now focus on their next challenge. The team travels to face 17th-placed Villarreal on September 14th. This fixture, listed on our fixtures page, represents an opportunity for Betis to stays among the league's frontrunners before the next international break. The squad, whose full details are available in our squad section, approaches this period with full belief after one of the most symbolic wins of the campaign.
