\u201cWe clearly deserved to win, but deserving doesn\u2019t give you points,\u201d Mourinho told reporters after the match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Real Madrid controlled the early phases at La Cartuja, creating two quality opportunities before the 15th minute. In the 11th minute, Arda Guler sent a well-placed cross, but Dean Huijsen\u2019s acrobatic attempt was saved by the Betis goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Vinicius Jr. hit the post after connecting with another Guler cross.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Betis grew into the game as the first half progressed, but Madrid continued to create chances. In the 43rd minute, Jude Bellingham sent Vinicius through, and the Brazilian found Kylian Mbappe inside the box. Mbappe\u2019s first effort was blocked by Natan, and Marc Bartra then cleared the second attempt off the goal line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Madrid came close again in added time when the goalkeeper saved Bellingham\u2019s header, and Huijsen then struck the crossbar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The visitors continued to press after the break but could not find a breakthrough. Betis goalkeeper Valles made another important save from a Deossa header in the 80th minute, but Troy Parrott followed up to give the hosts the lead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Madrid were handed a late chance to equalise when Vinicius was brought down inside the box in added time. Mbappe took the resulting penalty, but Valles made another crucial save.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mourinho, who was booked during the tense encounter, also voiced his frustration with the referee\u2019s disciplinary decisions, particularly a first-half yellow card shown to Guler.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why he gave me a yellow card, but it\u2019s okay; I accept it. Betis reached half-time without a single card, and poor Arda, who only knows how to play, ended up with a yellow. I didn\u2019t like that,\u201d Mourinho said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Portuguese also admitted he could not comment fully on the penalty and on an earlier disallowed goal by Gonzalo Espi, as he had not seen the incidents again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe penalty situation, the retaken penalty, Esp\u00ed\u2019s goal\u2014I don\u2019t know, I can\u2019t say,\u201d he said. \u201cI saw a lot of frustration on the bench from people watching the plays on the tablet. I haven\u2019t seen them, so I can\u2019t comment.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mourinho, however, praised his players for their performance despite the outcome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why we lost. I can\u2019t justify it. Collectively, the team played very well in all aspects. Individually, they also played very well. I have nothing to reproach any player for their attitude; quite the opposite. Everyone gave their all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mourinho said Madrid created enough chances but were denied by an inspired performance from the Betis goalkeeper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know why we lost. I can\u2019t justify it. Collectively, the team played very well in all aspects. Individually, they also played very well. I have nothing to reproach any player for their attitude; quite the opposite. Everyone gave their all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This was Madrid's first loss of the season and has pushed them to second place in the points table, as their arch-rivals Barcelona maintained their position at the top with a better goal difference than Mourinho's side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n