Kylian Mbappe rated 1/10 and branded ‘selfish’ after missing penalty in humiliating 1-0 defeat to Betis

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, left, attempts a shot on goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Breton) Kylian Mbappe endured a night to forget as Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the season, with the France forward facing particularly harsh reviews for his performance.Real Madrid beat Real Betis 1-0 on Friday night, with Troy Parrott scoring the only goal of the game at Estadio La Cartuja.The result ended Real Madrid’s unbeaten start under Jose Mourinho, while Mbappe’s display quickly became one of the main talking points afterwards.

Mbappe’s performance is coming under heavy scrutiny

Real Madrid had two late chances to salvage something from the game, but neither produced an equaliser.Parrott put Betis ahead in the 81st minute after Thibaut Courtois produced a superb save, only for the rebound to find its way back into the danger area for the former Tottenham forward to finish from close range.Seven minutes later, Real Madrid thought they had found a way back into the game when substitute Carlos Espi scored with a bicycle kick. The effort was blocked, however Mourinho’s side were given one last chance in stoppage time.Real Madrid were awarded a penalty in the third minute of extra time, but Mbappe was unable to convert it.The Spanish side protested that the spot-kick should have been replayed due to an apparent tackle by Betis defender Marco Bartra, but the decision stood and Betis held on for a famous victory.Mbappe’s overall display attracted some scathing reviews from the Spanish and French media.French outlet Real news gave it 2/10, accusing the striker of failing to step up and lead his team and describing it as “a performance to forget”.Parisian he characterized it as a “rare night” in which Mbappe offered little joy, while criticizing his “kind” pressing and “inaccurate” technical quality.The Spanish reaction was even harsher.ELUnmark he gave Mbappe just 1/10 and accused him of being “selfish” when given the ball in dangerous areas, while labeling his finishing “wasteful”.It was a particularly unpleasant assessment for a player who was expected to lead Real Madrid’s attack, although Mourinho had no interest in joining the pile-up.

Mourinho defends Mbappe after first defeat

Mourinho instead pointed to what he saw as flaws in his own team’s approach and the way Betis handled the game.“The team played a great game,” Mourinho told reporters after the defeat. “Sometimes you lose and you don’t know why or how to explain it.”The Real Madrid manager then suggested that Betis were more streetwise than his players.“Betis players are smarter than Real Madrid players who are pure, naive,” he said.Mourinho was particularly frustrated by incidents early in the match when he claimed Betis should have been shown yellow cards for challenges on Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr.“In the first leg of the match it was a clear yellow card for a player who fouled Valverde and then another yellow for a player who committed a serious foul on Vini Jr.He believed that Real Madrid players were too passive in situations where Betis tried to influence the referee.“The Madrid players bounced back immediately, but the Betis players are smarter and with the support of a fantastic fan base that pushes, pushes and achieves things like that.”Mourinho got back to the point when he spoke about what he saw as Real Madrid’s naivety.“We are naive in the sense that Betis players try to influence the referee’s decision in the smallest of things. Real Madrid players in situations that should have warranted a yellow card, like when he stepped on Valverde, stayed on their feet. That is worthy of the Real Madrid captain.”And when the subject turned specifically to Mbappe’s missed penalty, Mourinho refused to place the blame on his striker.“And the missed penalty is, as I always say: if one of us goes to take a penalty, we all go together.Real Madrid now have little time to reflect on their first defeat and Barcelona have an opportunity to move three points clear of their title rivals when they face Valencia on Sunday night.For Mbappe, the reaction to his performance is likely to take longer. After receiving some of the lowest ratings of his career at Real Madrid, the striker will have the chance to answer them on the pitch, but Mourinho has already made it clear that he does not see the defeat as the responsibility of one player.