The "BMV" stalls at the starting line: Real Madrid's star-studded offense hits a wall as Mbappé goes cold

R eal Madrid 's attack let them down in the first serious test of the season. It was not for lack of scoring chances. There were opportunities of almost every kind, including three shots off the woodwork, a missed penalty and a display by Valles that ended up driving José Mourinho 's forwards to distraction. Above all Kylian Mbappé , whose goal he denied in almost every way imaginable, culminating with the penalty save in the 94th minute. Mbappé was close to having the chance to take it again, but Hernández Hernández decided otherwise.

Mbappé was the image of Madrid's frustration, with a good handful of very clear chances, especially a double one in the first half, which Valles and his defense snuffed out. The keeper also got in the way of two good headers from Bellingham and Espí , producing one of the best nights of his career, if not the best. Even so, the Valencia forward did manage to beat the home goalkeeper, also very close to the 90th minute, but the play was ruled out for an earlier offside . Without a doubt, both decisions will fuel controversy in the coming hours.

Mbappé was not at his best, and neither was Bellingham , who seemed tired almost from the very start of the match, as if the stifling heat of La Cartuja was affecting him too much. That does not mean he did not run or try, but aside from a couple of details he was nowhere near the incisive player of the opening matches of the season. Even so, only Valles and the crossbar stopped him from finding the net again.

Nor did Vini have a calm night. He came up against Bellerín on a good handful of occasions, and the Betis full-back won virtually all of the duels . Even so, his persistence was enough to win the penalty that could have been the equaliser for Los Blancos, and, like his two attacking teammates, he struck the woodwork after a great move by Madrid in the first half.

Although Madrid's match was not bad, the truth is that the lack of finishing from their forwards cost Los Blancos dearly, who failed to score for the first time this season, including the six preseason matches . The bad news is that the slip-up came on the first serious uphill challenge the team had faced, the first real test of their level and just a few days before Madrid's European opener. In that match, the problem will be the lack of midfielders, with as many as three players suspended. On Tuesday it will be seen whether the attack can make up for it.