Real Madrid 2-0 Real Betis (Mbappé x2). A strong win at home. Here is my reaction to the victory. More to come: Player ratings, post game quotes and the podcast.

Real Madrid were yet to really get going in La Liga, with two draws and one win from their first three games igniting plenty of frustration within the fanbase. Real Betis on paper were the toughest challenge yet, so Carlo Ancelotti would not want another slip up. Dani Ceballos came into the midfield as one of the only changes, as Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga continued to sit out injured. Dani Carvajal captained the team.

If fans wanted immediate change in performances, then they wouldn’t have been too satisfied with the first half showing. Betis had the first decent chance of the game when a free header went wide of the far post. Real Madrid wouldn’t really test the goalkeeper until right at the end of the half, when Rodrygo Goes missed an opening from inside of the area. A dull half ended 0-0, and the hope for more would have to extend into the second half.

Supporters would finally get their wish in the second half, though – as Vinícius Júnior got things going with an early strike that smacked back off of the post. Castilla graduate Diego Llorente looked to have handled the ball inside his area, but the referee opted not to point to the spot. Rodrygo then came close as Madrid really snapped into action. Dani Ceballos had the next penalty shout turned down for Madrid, after going down under a defensive challenge. Betis then bit back with a snap-shot close, but not close enough to the target. The game finally opened up when Fede Valverde flicked a clever ball into space towards goal, only for Kylian Mbappé the latch on and finish past the keeper to score. Vinícius was involved with the second goal, as he was fouled by the keeper – and after a VAR review, a penalty was indeed given. Kylian Mbappé stepped up to make that brief goal drought very much a thing of the past. Endrick had a go at goal after coming on as a substitute, but it resulted in an easy save for the keeper. Madrid comfortably reached full-time, with the final score being 2-0 to the home side. Happier with that performance?