Real Betis 0-1 Real Madrid: Mbappe doesn't distract from the job at hand

Dani Carvajal's second-half strike proved the difference as Real Madrid beat Real Betis 1-0 in a drab encounter in Seville on Saturday. 

The win comes as Madrid wait to find out if their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe -- and more firepower -- will be successful, with the latest reports suggesting they have given Paris Saint-Germain a deadline to respond to their €180 million offer.

Despite the column inches being dedicated to Mbappe, Madrid weren't distracted against Betis.

Carvajal scored with a controlled volley just after the hour mark to seal the three points moments after Juanmi messed up a brilliant Betis chance. 

Former Barcelona defender Martin Montoya had the chance to equalise in the sixth minute of stoppage time but his show was saved by Thibaut Courtois. 

The win temporarily takes Madrid top, with seven points from their three games, while Betis are still without a win this season, although this was also their first defeat after two draws. 

"It's not a great time personally for me so I hope this goal is the start of a good run," Carvajal told reporters as he looks to put recent injury problems behind him. 

"We started well in the first 10-15 minutes but after Betis made us suffer without the ball. 

"In our first two games we scored lots but also conceded, so we wanted a clean sheet and we got that. The win allows us to go into the international break with peace of mind." 

Karim Benzema missed the best chance of a quiet first half, striking just wide when teed up inside the area. 

Led by the excellent Guido Rodriguez, Betis ended the opening 45 minutes best, although Nabil Fekir's penalty claim saw him booked for diving. 

Betis' best chance came just before Madrid's goal. Juanmi looked to be clear through but rather than shoot, he opted to pass. The ball was intercepted and Madrid broke. 

Vinicius Jr, lively again, managed to keep the ball in and Benzema's cross was brilliantly steered home by Carvajal. 

Betis never really came close to an equaliser but Montoya did have a chance with the last kick of the game. The right-back's shot was easy enough for Courtois, though. 

Now, with the international break around the corner and the transfer window closing on Tuesday, Madrid can focus all their attention on Mbappe.