Mated, but didn't get beaten (7)
I believe the answer is:
matched
'mated' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for matched that I've seen before include "having opposition" , "Equal (in quality or strength)" , "Equalised" , "Was compatible with" , "Equalled; paired" .)