Diego Simeone took full responsibility for Atletico Madrid's disappointing performance after their unbeaten LaLiga run ended with a 1-0 loss at Real Betis on Sunday.

Atleti failed to recover from Jose Maria Gimenez's fourth-minute own goal and wasted the few chances they created in a game riddled with errors that the coach blamed on himself.

Hosts Betis had 24 shots to Atleti's 10, albeit both teams only got three attempts on target.

Simeone, though, accepted Atleti were not up to standard, as his team lost their 24th game in all competitions in 2024, which is their joint-worst total in a calendar year under the Argentine's tutelage.

"I didn't prepare this match well. I am responsible for the plan not working," said Simeone, whose side lost 3-1 to Lille in the Champions League in midweek.

"Starting with myself first, we have work to do and things to improve. I didn't imagine anything different. The new players need to keep adapting, and I need to get more out of their strengths.

"Betis are a competitive team who have improved as they showed today, they outplayed us. We clearly couldn't play our game.

"This happened to us against Lille last week, we fell behind in the game and that didn't allow us to level this game.

"Ultimately, as a coach, I have to resolve these situations first and have a clear idea (of tactics) so that the players can perform in the way I like."

Atleti's first defeat of the season leaves them fourth in the Spanish top flight on 20 points, two clear of Betis and ten behind leaders Barcelona.

They face UE Vic in the Copa del Rey on Thursday before hosting Las Palmas in LaLiga three days later. 

Jose Maria Giminez's own-goal dealt Atletico Madrid their first defeat of the LaLiga season as they lost 1-0 to Real Betis on Sunday. 

Having won 10 of their previous 15 visits to the Estadio Benito Villamarin, Diego Simeone's side were outclassed as they lost pace with the early leaders in the table.

The decisive moment in the contest came in the fourth minute when Giminez deflected Abde Ezzalzouli's cross beyond Jan Oblak to hand the hosts a perfect start. 

Betis looked to increase their lead before the break with Ezzalzouli striking the woodwork, while Vitor Roque also spurned several glorious opportunities. 

Manuel Pellegrini's side continued to dominate proceedings, but struggled to find their second goal, with Roque seeing his effort ruled out for offside after the break. 

Visiting substitute Angel Correa was twice denied by the woodwork late on, with the Argentine first hitting the post before cannoning an effort off the crossbar.

Atletico now sit fourth in the standings after 11 games of the season, finding themselves 10 points behind leaders Barcelona after their stunning win over Real Madrid.

Data Debrief: Unwanted history

It was a night to forget for Giminez, with his telling contribution at the wrong end of the pitch putting him in the history books, but for all the wrong reasons. 

The Uruguayan's unfortunate error hit the back of the net with three minutes and 15 seconds on the clock, the earliest own-goal Atletico have conceded in the 21st century.

Simeone's side have now lost three of their last five matches in all competitions (W1 D1), as many defeats as in their previous 20 matches (W13 D4 L3).

But Betis deserved their long-awaited victory on home soil against Atletico. They ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.95 from their 24 shots, compared to their opponents' 0.54 from their 10 attempts. 

Kylian Mbappe cut a relieved figure after ending his goal drought in LaLiga by striking both goals in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Real Betis on Sunday. 

Mbappe, who had failed to score since his debut in the UEFA Super Cup, opened the scoring in the 67th minute before adding his second eight minutes later from the penalty spot. 

Heading into this fixture, the Frenchman had attempted the most shots this season (17) across Europe's top five leagues, and had the worst difference between expected goals (1.8 xG) and goals scored (none).

But the 25-year-old was not to be denied at the fourth time of asking, becoming the fourth Madrid player in the 21st century in LaLiga whose first goals have been with a brace after Cristiano Ronaldo, Javier Hernandez and Dani Ceballos (Ruud van Nistelrooy netted a hat-trick). 

"I've been happy ever since I arrived here," Mbappe told DAZN. "People have given me a lot of affection here, even when I didn't score, which was for three games.

"For some that doesn't seem much but for me it was a lot!

"However, during the process, the club, the teammates, the fans. They have always been with me. Giving me confidence to score goals for this club."

Still without the injured Jude Bellingham in their ranks, Carlo Ancelotti's side made another slow start against Betis following a disappointing draw against Las Palmas.

They entered the break with only three of their 13 shots troubling Rui Silva, while also registering 41 final third entries compared to their opponents' 19. 

But a more measured approach after the interval proved fruitful for the hosts, with Mbappe netting the first of many goals in front of his new home supporters.

"It's a great moment. I was really looking forward to scoring in this mythical stadium, the best in the world," Mbappe said.

"But the most important thing is the victory. We had to win after Las Palmas, even though we faced a difficult game, as they all are against rivals here.

"But we are Real Madrid. And we won at last."

Kylian Mbappe's second-half brace powered Real Madrid to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Real Betis in Sunday's LaLiga clash.

Madrid controlled possession but struggled against a well-organised Betis defence until they finally managed to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.

Mbappe struck his first goal in LaLiga with a close-range effort from a brilliant back-heel pass by midfielder Federico Valverde, and the forward would soon add to his account shortly after.

The France captain secured all three points eight minutes later from the penalty spot after Vinicius Junior was fouled inside the box by goalkeeper Rui Silva.

Madrid moved to second in the standings with eight points, four behind leaders Barcelona, while Betis are 17th on two.

Data Debrief: Mbappe's wait proves worthwhile

The expectations remain high on Mbappe following his headline move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Spanish capital this season, with the France forward failing to score in his first three league games.

Heading into this fixture, Mbappe had attempted the most shots this season (17) across Europe's top five leagues, and had the worst difference between expected goals (1.8 xG) and goals scored (none).

Yet the World Cup-winning forward quietened his doubters here, firing nine shots across a one-man attempt to break down Betis.

That paid dividends, however, with his two clinical finishes securing a much-needed victory, and moving Madrid to 26 home games in LaLiga unbeaten (W22 D4), their best run in 11 years (34 between January 2012 and September 2013).

Away from Mbappe, at the back, Madrid have also not conceded in their last five LaLiga games at home for the first time in the competition since October 1996.

Mbappe, coupled with Carlo Ancelotti's well-drilled defence, could be the difference for back-to-back LaLiga crowns by the end of the campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti has said he is pleased with the start Kylian Mbappe has made at Real Madrid, despite the fact he has not yet scored a league goal.

Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June and scored in their 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup but three weeks on, has yet to open his account in the league.

The 25-year-old has taken eight shots so far, five of which have been on target, missing some presentable chances, although his manager is not worried.

“(Mbappe) is playing very well even if he hasn’t scored yet. His influence creates danger,” said Ancelotti ahead of their clash with Real Betis this Sunday.

“For me (Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe) are teaming up well, the offensive work is being done very well. It hasn’t been a problem because we’ve scored goals in every game.

“With time, they will team up better, not just Vini and Mbappe but Mbappe with the midfielders as well.

“Offensively, we don’t have a problem. We haven’t had it these years and we’re not going to have it not that we have the best strikers in the world.”

Ancelotti also suggested that he is not worried about his team’s slow start to the LaLiga season, but appreciates that criticism is understandable.

Real Madrid have won one and drawn two of their opening three matches and are currently four points behind league leaders Barcelona, who have won all three.

“It’s absolutely normal because the demands on this team are at their highest,” he said.

“We are going to be criticised until May, this is normal for us. We are not happy because we are four points behind.”

But the Italian was quick to temper any overreactions.

“The season is very long and that (points difference) doesn’t mean much,” he said.

“We are trying to solve our problems. So far we have not been able to have a compact block and we have to improve this.

“I have talked about it with the players and they agree. When the problem is clear, it is easy to fix it.”

Gabriel Misehouy rescued a point for Girona on his debut as they salvaged a 1-1 draw at Real Betis in LaLiga, but coach Michel has warned the teenager must remain grounded.

The 19-year-old Dutch midfielder came off the bench for his debut in Girona's league opener at Betis, having joined from Ajax on a free transfer in July.

He found the equaliser from a counterattack he initiated and was a constant menace to Betis' backline, almost scoring the winner with some brilliant play late on.

Michel was not surprised by Misehouy's impact but told DAZN he has much to learn, saying: "Gabriel is a brutally talented player, but as of today he still lacks the collective mentality to be a great player.

"He has a lot of room for improvement. He still doesn't speak Spanish but I hope he listens to me...

"Maybe the goal won't do any good for him, I don't want it to be... He has a lot of talent, but we have to focus on him so that he can work for the group."

Missing several players due to illness, Michel was satisfied to leave Seville with a point to start a season in which Girona are under the spotlight, having finished third to reach the Champions League last term.

Even if they have lost the element of surprise, Michel is confident the club will continue their upward trajectory.

"I think the team had the personality to play with our idea, knowing that the connections are not yet there," he said. 

"I am very happy with the performance, knowing the problems we had."

Girona substitute Gabriel Misehouy struck in the 72nd minute to rescue a 1-1 draw at Real Betis in their opening game of LaLiga on Thursday.

Betis started well and opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a bullet header by defender Marc Bartra from a corner.

Abel Ruiz almost pulled Los Blanquivermells level on the hour-mark, darting in behind Betis' defence, only to poke his first-time shot against the near post.

However, Girona managed to find the equaliser with a close-range finish by Misehouy, who swept a neat finish into the far-bottom corner in his first game for the club.

Both teams had chances to win it late on, though Betis in particular will rue theirs as Chimy Avila's volley rattled Paulo Gazzaniga's goal frame before Nabil Fekir flashed an effort just wide in stoppage time.

Data Debrief: Spoils shared

Betis have not lost their first game of the season in any of the last five campaigns in LaLiga (winning three, drawing two), since a 1-2 loss against Real Valladolid in August 2019. 

Bartra's first-half goal was not enough to get them a win in the end, but he scored his 12th goal in LaLiga (seven with Betis, five for Barcelona), half of them being headers, with five of those six coming from corners.

Meanwhile, after losing his first four games against Betis in LaLiga between 2018 and 2023, Míchel is now unbeaten in three against them in the top-flight (one win, two draws).

Michel is optimistic about Girona's chances of extending last season's remarkable LaLiga run into their 2024-25 campaign, which begins at Real Betis on Thursday.

After a third-place finish in the standings, their best ever, Girona secured a place in the Champions League for their first taste of European competition.

Though Girona may have lost the element of surprise, Michel is confident the club will continue their upward trajectory.

"I don't have a crystal ball to know where we will sit in the end [of the season], but I'm convinced that, with collective thinking in defence and attack, we will have a great season," Michel told a press conference on Wednesday.

"The objective is the club's growth and to always honour their colours. All the players who are here must be players who have that feeling and understanding, that playing here is a source of pride and that they are doing it for our people. That is the objective we have as a club: growth, growth and growth."

The Spaniard added that he still expects new signings to arrive before the summer transfer window closes at the end of August.

Michel, whose project was constructed around a youthful squad with an attacking style, has lost several of his key players in the transfer window so far, including winger Savinho, who moved to Manchester City.

Meanwhile, striker Artem Dovbyk, who scored 24 league goals last season, left for Serie A side Roma and versatile midfielder Aleix Garcia was signed by Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

To make things worse ahead of a difficult clash at Manuel Pellegrini's Betis, he will be missing at least three players due to illness.

"The sports management and I have the same way of seeing things," Michel added. 

"It is true that the process has been complicated and difficult because important players have left. We had problems during the offseason and now with this virus, but I am convinced that we will make the best possible squad."

West Ham have announced their third signing in as many days after confirming the arrival of midfielder Guido Rodriguez on Tuesday. 

Rodriguez, who was part of Argentina's Copa America-winning squad in July, arrives as a free agent having left Spanish side Real Betis upon the expiry of his contract.

The 30-year-old was also part of La Albiceleste's World Cup success in 2022 and has made 30 appearances for his nation, winning three trophies. 

Rodriguez will provide another combative midfield option for Julen Lopetegui alongside Edson Alvarez, a player he knows well from his time with Club America in Mexico. 

He was successful in 118 of his 196 contested duels last term, while also winning 30 of his 53 tackles, a total only bettered by Marc Roca (36) and Ayoze Perez (32) in Betis' side. 

"I'm very happy to be here," said Rodríguez. “I feel like it’s every footballer’s dream to play in the Premier League, and I was very excited when I heard that West Ham were interested in me.

"It's a historic club, that has a really interesting project. I think it’s the right club for me, at the right time, and I hope together we can keep growing."

Rodríguez will become the ninth Argentine to represent the Hammers and is the sixth arrival at London Stadium during this transfer window. 

Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug have bolstered West Ham's ranks as they back new coach Lopetegui and aim to improve on their ninth-place finish last season. 

Amad Diallo starred as Manchester United beat Real Betis 3-2 in a pre-season friendly in San Diego on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford, Diallo and Casemiro completed the first-half comeback after Iker Losada's early goal, while Diego Llorente pulled another one back just after the hour mark.

Rashford limped off the pitch after being on the end of a heavy tackle in the second half, while Antony only lasted 23 minutes after his introduction off the bench.

Jadon Sancho had an early goal ruled out for offside before Tom Heaton's fumble gave Losada the chance to poke Betis in front.

However, Diallo was brought down in the box minutes later by Romain Perraud, and Rashford coolly converted from the spot before the Ivorian put the Red Devils in front with a drilled effort into the bottom-left corner.

Casemiro's finish on the half-turn gave United a two-goal cushion at half-time, but Llorente headed in to half the deficit. Betis piled on some late pressure but could not find an equaliser. 

Data Debrief: Diallo makes a statement

Diallo said on Wednesday that he wanted to stay at United "for life" as he eyes more game time for the Red Devils this year.

He had the joint-most shots (two) of his team-mates, scoring from an xG of just 0.2, and created three chances, more than anyone else on the field.

Arne Slot says Liverpool are waiting to discover the extent of Curtis Jones' injury, after the midfielder was forced off during the Reds' 1-0 victory over Real Betis.

The Dutchman oversaw his first win since replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai scoring the only goal in Pittsburgh.

It was the first match of the Reds' pre-season tour of the United States, though it remains to be seen how much of a part Jones will play after he limped off on the half-hour mark.

However, Slot said the decision to withdraw the midfielder was precautionary.

"I think it's too early to tell [how bad it is]," he told reporters during his post-match press conference. "Maybe he could have played on, but I think maybe you could see he was not at 100%.

"In a friendly game, with so many days coming up in our tour, it was best to take him off. We hope he recovers really fast, so we can see him in the next few games.

"It's always a pity if he has to go off after 25 minutes, half an hour. And before that, you could see that he was not completely free.

"It was unfortunate because he had two really good weeks during the training sessions, so I looked forward to seeing him in the game, but unfortunately he had to go off.

Trey Nyoni replaced Jones for the remainder of the game, and Slot was pleased by the 17-year-old's impact.

"The good thing about that was that we brought someone [on] that impressed me in the 45 minutes to an hour he played afterwards.

"I think [Trey] did really well today, but it was only an hour. He was one of the reasons why we scored the goal, because he turned really quickly and [played] a spot-on pass in between the lines. And he was also involved in the biggest chance in the second half.

"We are really careful with him. So he doesn't join every session, and sometimes he goes off a bit earlier. You can see his quality, but you can also see his body still needs some time to grow to play at Premier League level. But he showed some interesting things today.

I think there were a few positive things and, of course, a few things we have to improve. But the positive thing is that we kept a clean sheet. I think we only conceded one big chance and that was somewhere around the last 10 minutes of the game.

"So, we controlled the game really well and, in between, we had a few good attacks where we created a few good chances and scored a good goal."

Dominik Szoboszlai's goal was the difference as Arne Slot's first game in charge of Liverpool with spectators present ended in a 1-0 win over Real Betis in Pittsburgh.

Liverpool lost 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors meeting with Preston North End last week, but they were victors in sweltering conditions when their pre-season tour of the United States got under way on Friday.

Szoboszlai scored the only goal after 34 minutes, stroking his finish past Adrian after Mohamed Salah slipped a pass through to the Hungary international.

That goal came four minutes after Curtis Jones was forced off through injury, being replaced by 17-year-old Trey Nyoni.

Former Reds goalkeeper Adrian denied Conor Bradley as a strong Liverpool side chased a second, while Harvey Elliott nodded wide from a Kostas Tsimikas cross.

After Slot rang the changes with 63 minutes gone, Kaide Gordon missed Liverpool's best chance to make it 2-0 by dragging his effort wide, but it did not matter as a controlled performance saw the Reds home.

Data Debrief: Reds in cruise control

Slot had been expected to bring a slightly more measured approach than the "heavy metal football" preached by his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, and that was on full display on Friday as Betis were held at arm's length.

Liverpool enjoyed 62.7% of the possession throughout the match, though Slot will be looking for more penetration when they face Arsenal in the next game of their tour on Wednesday, having only recorded 12 touches in the penalty area to Betis' 10. 

Real Madrid were fortunate to call upon Toni Kroos for a decade, said Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti, after the Germany midfielder bade farewell to a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu.

Veteran Kroos played his final league game for Madrid on Saturday, with a goalless draw against Real Betis hardly befitting of his illustrious time with the LaLiga champions.

The 34-year-old will still have one more appearance to come for Los Blancos in next Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.

Yet having played for a final occasion at Madrid's storied home ground, Ancelotti was quick to praise Kroos.

"One of the greatest, obviously," Ancelotti told a press conference. "A very high-quality midfielder, with a fantastic character, with a small ego, very humble and always at the service of the team, very altruistic. What luck to have had him for 10 years.

"To do better than Kroos has done, in this team, is very complicated. He has made a very strong decision [to retire], because nobody could have imagined it, but he has shown a lot of character and to say goodbye like that is great.

"It is the farewell of a great football character and, I repeat, we have been lucky to have him here. Football has enjoyed a great player."

On his 306th LaLiga appearance, a tally bettered by only one other German (Bernd Schuster, with 316), Kroos bowed out in typical style, having the most touches (122), creating the most chances (three), playing the most passes (110) and completing the most passes (107) of any player on the pitch.

"I can only say thank you to all the Madridismo, to the club, to my team mates, to the stadium," Kroos told reporters after his Madrid farewell.

"I've always felt at home during these 10 years. I couldn't ask for more. They have been 10 unforgettable years.

"I was pretty strong until I saw my children, that moment killed me."

Kroos will end his playing days with the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, where he will hope to guide hosts Germany to glory on home soil.

Toni Kroos bade an emotional farewell to Real Madrid fans at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu in a 0-0 draw with Real Betis.

One of Madrid's most decorated players, Kroos confirmed this week that he will be retiring after Euro 2024.

That made Saturday's meeting with Betis his final LaLiga match for Madrid, who eased to the title this season and will now look ahead to next week's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

While that clash at Wembley will be Kroos' last in club football, he was able to say goodbye to the Madrid fans, with the match all about the 34-year-old, with nothing left to be decided in the standings.

Kroos fought back tears as walked onto the pitch through a corridor formed by his team-mates, who were wearing his number eight jersey as the fans held up a giant flag with his face and the words "Thank you, legend" which covered the south stand.

In the 87th minute, Kroos, who saw a free-kick saved by Betis' Fran Vieites, broke down in tears when, after receiving another standing ovation as he was substituted, he embraced his three children who were all crying on the sidelines.

The game was stopped for several minutes as Kroos hugged each of his team-mates, as well as coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Junior went closest to breaking the deadlock for Madrid, while Hector Bellerin missed from a free header for Betis and Thibaut Courtois pulled off some fine saves either side of the break.

Data Debrief: Kroosing into retirement

What a career Kroos has had, not only at Madrid, but at Bayern Munich beforehand.

On his 306th LaLiga appearance, a tally bettered by only one other German (Bernd Schuster, with 316), Kroos bowed out in typical style, having the most touches (122), creating the most chances (three), playing the most passes (110) and completing the most passes (107) of any player on the pitch.

Madrid might be in safe hands with Jude Bellingham, but Kroos will certainly be missed.

Runaway LaLiga champions Real Madrid welcome Real Betis for the last game of the domestic season in what was supposed to be just a dress rehearsal ahead of next week's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

But the shock retirement announcement of midfielder Toni Kroos on Tuesday suddenly changed the significance of Saturday's clash, which quickly lost that end-of-the-season vibe.

A sold-out crowd will bid farewell to a fan favourite and all-time club great who will play his final game at the stadium after a remarkable decade with the Spanish giants.

Kroos said in a statement on his social media that his last game for Madrid will be next week's Champions League final, adding that he will retire after this year's European Championship on home soil.

Madrid have had little to play for in the last couple of weeks after claiming a record-extending 36th LaLiga title on May 4 and reaching the Champions League final four days later.

Carlo Ancelotti has rested most of his regular starters in the last three league matches but is expected to use the Betis game as a practice run for the Wembley final, with two big question marks in defence.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' full recovery from an ACL tear suffered in August has left the Italian with a tricky decision.

Stand-in Andriy Lunin was Real's penalty hero as they beat Manchester City to reach the semi-finals, but Courtois is widely considered one of the best keepers in the world and is likely to regain his starting spot against Dortmund.

The centre-back who will play alongside Antonio Rudiger is Ancelotti's other issue.

He has used holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and long-time back-up defender Nacho alongside Rudiger after David Alaba and Eder Militao sustained ACL tears early in the season.

After making a full recovery last month, Militao has struggled to regain top form and, with Tchouameni out with a foot injury sustained against Bayern Munich, Ancelotti is left to decide between the Brazilian and Spaniard Nacho.

Champions Real Madrid have 94 points, 12 ahead of second-placed Barcelona going into the final round of LaLiga matches this season.