Jose Mourinho admitted he could not explain how Real Madrid lost to Real Betis on Saturday, insisting his side played a very good game but were ultimately punished for failing to convert their chances.

Madrid’s perfect start to the LaLiga season came to an end as Troy Parrott’s late goal gave Betis a 1-0 victory in Seville. Kylian Mbappe missed a stoppage-time penalty, with goalkeeper Alvaro Valles making the decisive save.

Yet Mourinho was left more perplexed than disappointed by the result.

“I don’t know how we lost because we played very well collectively,” the Madrid coach said. “The team played a great game. Sometimes you lose and cannot explain how.

“We were really dominant, created a lot going forward and had plenty of chances. If the match had ended in a draw, we would have been frustrated, so imagine how we feel after a defeat.”

Madrid had several opportunities to break the deadlock before Parrott struck in the 81st minute. Vinicius Junior hit the post in the first half, while Mbappe was twice denied by Betis defenders. The Frenchman later struck the crossbar before Valles kept out his penalty after Natan brought down Vinicius inside the area.

Mourinho refused to blame Mbappe for the missed spot-kick, saying the team would stand behind whoever took the penalty.

“As for the penalty, when one of us steps up to take it, we all stand together,” he said.

The Portuguese also refused to criticise his players, despite Madrid’s failure to turn their dominance into goals.

“I have nothing to reproach my players for. We probably deserved to win, but deserving to win does not earn you any points,” Mourinho said.

He did, however, suggest Betis had been more effective at exploiting the finer margins of the game, praising the hosts’ ability to gain advantages with the help of their home support.

“The Betis players are more streetwise than the Madrid players, who are very honest. With the backing of a fantastic crowd, they manage to gain these kinds of advantages,” Mourinho said.

The defeat left Madrid on nine points from four matches, level with Betis, while Barcelona can move three points clear at the top if they beat Valencia on Sunday.

Madrid now turn their attention to the Champions League, with Italian champions Inter Milan visiting the Spanish capital next Tuesday.