Real Madrid faces a massive challenge to secure silverware this season.

Despite a strong start, Los Blancos tasted the bitter defeat of loss in just their fourth La Liga match, falling 1-0 away to Real Betis.

On Friday night (September 4), after squandering a string of golden opportunities, French star Kylian Mbappe failed to capitalize from the penalty spot, allowing Betis to secure a memorable victory.

Real Madrid created their first notable chance in the 11th minute of the match.

Arda Guler sent a cross toward the goalmouth from the right, and Dean Huijsen lunged to get a touch on the ball, but the goalkeeper denied the effort with a dive.

Guler struck fear into the opposition again three minutes later.

Receiving a brilliant pass from Mbappe inside the box, the Turkish midfielder eluded the goalkeeper and played the ball toward the far post, only for Vinicius's shot from a tight angle to strike the woodwork.

In the 43rd minute, Mbappe squandered two golden opportunities within moments.

Controlling a teammate's through-ball brilliantly from midfield, Vinicius entered the box ahead of everyone.

As the goalkeeper rushed out to challenge him, the Brazilian star squared a short pass to his right.

Receiving the ball in space, Mbappe's initial shot was blocked by a Betis player, and from the rebound, the French star hit it straight into another defender.

The visitors wasted two more fantastic chances before the break.

First, the goalkeeper saved Jude Bellingham's header from a corner, and second, Huijsen's header from another corner struck the crossbar.

Real Madrid maintained similar pressure in the second half, but the goal remained elusive. In the 67th minute, Mbappe disappointed once again.

He failed to properly control Huijsen's through-ball in the box, and his eventual weak shot failed to beat the goalkeeper.

Having failed to threaten the opponent's camp even once in the first half—or test the opposing goalkeeper by the 80th minute—the home side went ahead with their very first shot on target in the 81st minute.

Thibaut Courtois palmed away a header from midfielder Nelson Deossa from a corner with a one-handed dive, but he could not clear the danger.

Finding the rebound loose in front of the goal, Irish striker Troy Parrott blasted it into the net.

Four minutes later, misfortune stood in Real Madrid's way once more, as Mbappe's chip shot struck the crossbar.

Within two minutes, recently substituted Carlos Espi sent the ball into the net with an acrobatic volley, but the referee blew the whistle for offside following a VAR review.

As regulation time expired and the match entered stoppage time, the Madrid side suddenly found an opportunity to avoid defeat.

They were awarded a penalty after Vinicius was fouled inside the box.

However, Alvaro saved Mbappe's weak spot-kick, allowing Betis to walk away with the win.

With three wins from four matches and 9 points, Real Madrid currently sits in second place.

Betis occupies third place with an equal number of points. Barcelona leads the table with 9 points from three matches.