Red card and apology: Ethan Mbappé owns up to his foul against Betis in Champions League

Ethan Mbappé acknowledged his responsibility in Lille’s 2-3 defeat to Betis in the Champions League on Tuesday evening at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Sent off in the 56th minute for an elbow on defender Natan, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder posted an apology message on Instagram immediately after the match.

“I want to apologize to my teammates, staff, and supporters for this unacceptable gesture,” wrote the LOSC player. “The defeat is entirely my fault, I take responsibility for it. I left my teammates in difficulty in the biggest competition. Sorry.”

The evening had started well for Lille. In the 12th minute, Ethan Mbappé provided an assist for Ayase Ueda, allowing the Dogues to take the lead. LOSC were still leading 2-1 at halftime before Betis turned the situation around in the space of four minutes in the second half (49th, 53rd). Provoked by Natan in this context of frustration, the young Frenchman cracked and responded with an elbow, sealing the match’s fate by leaving his team with ten men.

Reduced to ten, Davide Ancelotti’s players were unable to snatch an equalizer and lost their first Champions League outing of the season.

The incident comes four days after an equally difficult evening for his older brother Kylian, who missed a penalty in the 94th minute with Real Madrid against the same Andalusian club in La Liga (0-1 defeat). For Ethan Mbappé, this red card in the Champions League is a harsh lesson in emotional management at the highest level.