Valles, Betis hero against Real Madrid: how he stopped Mbappé's late penalty

Álvaro Valles was the standout figure in Real Betis' victory over Real Madrid at La Cartuja. The goalkeeper produced a superb display and capped it with a save from Kylian Mbappé in stoppage time that prevented a late equalizer. His intervention sealed a hard-earned win for the Andalusian side, who kept a clean sheet.

• Valles saved a stoppage-time penalty from Mbappé with Betis leading by one goal.
• The goalkeeper said he had studied the French forward's recent spot-kicks.
• He also tried to disrupt the striker with a comment just before the kick.
• Betis kept a clean sheet and earned an important home victory.
• The keeper praised the collective effort and the team's ability to suffer.

Stopping Mbappé: research, instinct and an attempt to distract the taker

The decisive moment of the match came in the closing stages, when Real Madrid were awarded a penalty that could have leveled the score. Kylian Mbappé stepped up, but Valles responded with a save that preserved Betis' lead. The goalkeeper explained that prior preparation played a major role.

We studied his penalties. His last two had been hit wide. I tried to hold on as long as possible, chose that side and fortunately saved it. I tried to distract Mbappé a little by telling him it was the last minute and wishing him luck... and it worked.

The goalkeeper's approach combined two elements: reading the forward's most recent penalties and trying to play with the pressure of the moment. He waited until the last possible second before diving and picked the right side to stop the shot, sparking wild celebrations at La Cartuja.

What this LaLiga win over Real Madrid means for Real Betis

The victory carries special weight for Manuel Pellegrini's team. Beating a direct rival for European places energizes Betis' push up the table and reinforces their strength at home. Valles stressed the importance of continuing to pick up points on home soil and of building momentum against top opposition.

In the context of LaLiga, these head-to-head meetings count double: Betis took three points while denying a direct competitor the chance to move forward. The team also showed they can stand toe to toe with a higher-budget side and stay composed during a tense finale.

Team effort and a clean sheet: how Betis held off Real Madrid

Beyond Valles' individual display, the goalkeeper was quick to highlight the performance of the entire squad. Betis withstood Real Madrid's pressure in a demanding final stretch and defended their lead with discipline. He stressed that the win belonged to every player who took the pitch.

The team did a great job. This belongs to everyone. I can only congratulate my teammates because they gave their all to win.

The plan to contain Real Madrid relied on staying focused, limiting space and taking chances when they came. Once ahead, Betis managed the match with maturity and survived a late onslaught from an opponent who piled players forward in search of an equalizer.

A statement performance for the Betis goalkeeper

Valle's display at La Cartuja reinforces what has been a strong season for the keeper, who has become a key piece in the Andalusian side's system. His ability to deliver in high-pressure moments was confirmed once again against one of the best forwards in the world.

Saving a stoppage-time penalty from Mbappé is no ordinary achievement. It provides a mental boost for the player and the fans, and it proves Betis can count on a keeper capable of deciding matches in the most critical moments. The celebrations at La Cartuja reflected the tension of the night and the relief of a victory earned until the final whistle.

Frequently asked questions about Valles' save on Mbappé