Arda Guler shines for Real Madrid despite first loss under Jose Mourinho

Arda Güler exited the pitch at Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla as the highest-rated player on his team, yet he did so in a match that ended in a viral humiliation for Real Madrid. While Real Betis posted a cold social media message introducing themselves as the first team to defeat Jose Mourinho's side this season, the Turkish midfielder emerged as the solitary technical success in a 1-0 loss on Friday, September 4, 2026.

The result marks Mourinho's first defeat since returning to the club for a second spell. Despite a performance that saw Real Madrid dominate possession and territory, they were unable to convert a massive statistical advantage into goals, leaving the squad vulnerable to an 81st-minute strike from Betis substitute Troy Parrott.

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The 'Beacon' in the Dark

In the aftermath of the defeat, the Madrid-based press highlighted a stark divide between the team's collective failure and Güler's individual brilliance. AS described the 21-year-old as the team's beacon, noting his ability to break lines with through balls and create overloads in the midfield. Marca echoed this sentiment, calling him the light in Real Madrid’s otherwise dark footballing side during a dominant first half.

Mourinho deployed Güler on the right wing within a 4-2-3-1 formation. In this role, Güler took every set piece and provided a luxurious assist to Huijsen for one of the game's early chances. His performance was so commanding that AS suggested he should now be a guaranteed starter, potentially making Yan Diomandé’s place in the starting lineup more expensive.

His influence was cut short by disciplinary friction. After receiving an initial yellow card in the first half, a decision Mourinho questioned by claiming Betis players were smarter in avoiding similar bookings, Güler flirted with a second yellow following a tackle in the opposition's half. Fearing an expulsion, Mourinho withdrew him in the 64th minute.

"It was difficult to substitute Arda because he was playing so well,"

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid Manager, via ca.sports.yahoo.com

The Alonso Connection

Güler's current form serves as a vindication for Xabi Alonso, the current Chelsea manager who previously worked with the Turk during Alonso's time as Madrid manager in the first half of last season. According to Teamtalk, Alonso had a special connection with Güler, having kept him as a starter even after the return of Jude Bellingham from injury.

This relationship nearly led to a transfer to the Premier League. Alonso reportedly urged the co-owners of Chelsea, BlueCo, to sign Güler in the summer of 2026, suggesting that if Enzo Fernandez left the club, the Blues should target both Güler and Aurelien Tchouameni. While Fernandez eventually moved to Manchester City, Güler remained at Estadio Bernabéu.

Anatomy of a Statistical Failure

The 1-0 scoreline belies the total dominance of the visitors. Real Madrid's inability to finish was systemic; the team recorded 20 shots and an xG of 3.46, suggesting they should have scored at least three goals based on the quality of chances created.

Metric	Real Madrid Value	Outcome
Total Shots	20	0 Goals
Expected Goals (xG)	3.46	0 Goals
Güler Pass Accuracy	90%	7 Chances Created
Valles Saves	6	2.98 xG prevented

Much of this failure can be attributed to Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, whom Sports describes as the hero of the match. Valles made six saves from inside the box, effectively neutralizing a direct xG of 2.98.

The collapse was compounded by a series of late-game disasters. Carlos Espí appeared to have equalized with a spectacular bicycle kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. In the 94th minute, Natan brought down Vinicius Junior in the area, handing Mbappé a penalty. The Frenchman's effort was saved by Valles, though controversy persists over whether a Betis player's foot was airborne inside the box at the moment of the strike.

While the referee believed the airborne foot did not warrant a retake, Sports reports there are strong grounds to claim it should have been retaken because the foot was inside the box, regardless of whether it was grounded.

Mourinho's Assessment

Mourinho remained calm but pointedly critical in his post-match assessment. He characterized Betis's strategy as playing for a draw and eventually hit the jackpot when Troy Parrott scored after reacting to a parried header from Thibaut Courtois, according to Ca.

While Mourinho praised the potential of substitute Carlos Espí, describing him as humble, hard-working, and keen to learn, he was less satisfied with the official's consistency. He noted the irony of Güler's early booking compared to the leniency shown to the hosts. Madrid Universal noted that the defeat exposed lacunae in a team that had looked comfortable at home but struggled in its first significant away clash of the season.

Real Madrid must now address this finishing crisis before they begin their Champions League campaign against Inter Milan on September 8.

The team leaves Seville with a stark reminder of their current inefficiency in front of goal. Despite the brilliance of Güler and the efforts of substitutes like Espí, the lack of a lethal finish from star forwards like Mbappé and Bellingham turned a dominant performance into a defeat.