Friday’s Mbappé shock stemmed from an incident in the 88th minute, when he went down inside the six-yard box following a fine solo run and a challenge from Girona centre-back Vitor Reis. His opponent struck him in the face with his elbow, leaving Mbappé requiring three stitches.
No penalty was awarded: referee Javier Alberola Rojas took no action, and the VAR did not intervene, sparking fury in the Madrid camp. “I don’t understand why the VAR didn’t act,” fumed coach Álvaro Arbeloa. “If he feels like speaking up, he does—if not, he stays silent.”
Real have complained about officiating before, most recently after the first-leg loss to Bayern. Two calls by English referee Michael Oliver sparked controversy then. The biggest bone of contention was Jonathan Tah’s challenge on Mbappé, which caught the Frenchman on the Achilles tendon yet only earned a yellow card. “I don’t know how Tah avoided a red card for that foul on Mbappé; it’s a decision no one can understand,” Arbeloa fumed after the final whistle.
The dropped point allowed leaders Barcelona to open up a nine-point gap with just seven rounds left, effectively settling the title race.