05.09.2026 17:30
Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Real Betis away in the 4th week of LaLiga. Arda Guler, who started in the starting XI and remained on the field for 62 minutes, was named man of the match, while his substitution was criticized in the Spanish press. Jose Mourinho, however, stated that he took the national star off due to his yellow card, saying, 'He was playing very well.'
In the 4th week of Spain's LaLiga, Real Madrid left the Real Betis away match with a 1-0 defeat. For the purple-and-whites, Kylian Mbappe failed to convert a penalty kick in stoppage time.
One of the standout names for Real Madrid that night was Arda Güler. The national footballer, who started the match in the starting eleven, received the player of the match award despite being substituted off in the 62nd minute.
PLAYED 62 MINUTES, NAMED PLAYER OF THE MATCH
While on the pitch, Arda Güler provided 7 key passes and completed 36 of his 40 pass attempts. The national star connected 6 of his 8 long balls with his teammates and won the ball 5 times. Despite Arda's effective performance, his substitution in the 62nd minute drew criticism.
MOURINHO: HE WAS PLAYING VERY WELL
Real Madrid Head Coach Jose Mourinho explained why he took Arda Güler off after the match. Mourinho said, "Taking off Arda Güler was a difficult decision. He was playing very well, but Betis players are more cunning than Real Madrid players. Arda came off due to a yellow card."
"WILL ARDA ALWAYS BE THE ONE SUBBED OFF?"
French journalist Romain Molina reacted to Arda's substitution, saying, "Will Arda Güler always be the first one taken off so that the statuses of Real Madrid's front three aren't harmed?"
Mario Cortegana from The Athletic also criticized the decision, stating, "I know he had a yellow card, but the player who should have been substituted instead of Arda should have been Vinicius Junior. More precisely, Arda Güler was the last player who should have been taken off."
ARGUED WITH HUIJSEN, COURTOIS INTERVENED
In the first half of the match, there was also a brief tension between Arda Güler and his teammate Dean Huijsen. As the argument escalated following a corner kick situation, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stepped in to calm the duo.