Real Madrid Slam Referee After Thrilling 3-3 Draw Against Rayo Vallecano
Real Madrid fans, brace yourselves. Saturday’s LaLiga clash against Rayo Vallecano was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, and it ended with the Spanish giants fuming over what they believe was a game-changing refereeing decision. The 3-3 draw in Vallecas left Madrid just one point behind Barcelona at the top of the table, but the post-match conversation was dominated by controversy rather than the thrilling on-field action.
Let’s set the stage. Madrid found themselves in an early hole, going 2-0 down thanks to headed goals from Rayo’s Unai López and Abdul Mumin. But as we’ve seen time and time again, Los Blancos don’t go down without a fight. Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham stepped up to level the score at 2-2, reigniting hope for Madridistas everywhere.
In the second half, Rodrygo gave Madrid the lead, only for Rayo’s Isi Palazón to equalize just eight minutes later. The match ended in a stalemate, but the real drama unfolded off the pitch as Madrid turned their attention to referee Juan Martínez Munuera.
Madrid’s Fury Over a Non-Penalty Call
After the game, Real Madrid didn’t hold back. The club posted a match report on their official website and social media channels with the headline, “Controversial refereeing denies Madrid victory.” The focus of their ire? A second-half incident involving Mumin and Vinícius Júnior.
“In the 75th minute came the most controversial play of the match,” the club’s report stated. “Vini Jr. was clearly brought down inside the area by Mumin, but Martínez Munuera did not award a penalty, neither was there any warning from [Pablo] González Fuertes, the VAR referee.”
Madrid’s frustration with refereeing isn’t new. This season, the club has frequently criticized officials, even broadcasting videos on Real Madrid TV to highlight what they see as glaring mistakes. Saturday’s game was just the latest chapter in this ongoing saga.
Carlo Ancelotti Weighs In
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti didn’t shy away from the controversy either. “Seeing a replay, the penalty looked very clear to me,” he said during his post-match press conference. However, the Italian tactician also took a moment to praise his team’s performance, emphasizing the positives despite the draw.
“There are draws and there are draws,” Ancelotti said. “The draws with Mallorca and Las Palmas [in August] were totally different to this draw… We’re on the right track.”
He added, “The Mallorca and Las Palmas draws made me nervous, but this one didn’t. I thought it would be very difficult for us to find balance and attitude [this season], but we’ve found it. We have the same attitude as last year, the same commitment, the same quality.”
Injuries Take Their Toll
It’s worth noting that Madrid were missing several key players for this match. Kylian Mbappé, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal were all sidelined due to injuries. Meanwhile, Vinícius started on the bench as he continues to recover from his own fitness issues.
“[Vinícius] didn’t start because he hasn’t played 90 minutes since his injury,” Ancelotti explained. “We preferred that he play the second half, which might be less intense. He had a good game.”
What’s Next for Madrid?
Despite the frustration, Ancelotti remains optimistic about the future. “Rodrygo came back today. [Eduardo] Camavinga came back. [David] Alaba will come back. I start 2025 with a lot of enthusiasm. We’re in the fight for everything.”
Madrid’s next challenge comes on Wednesday, where they’ll face Pachuca in the final of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. With the LaLiga title race heating up and key players returning from injury, the second half of the season promises to be a thrilling ride for Madridistas.
Key Takeaways
- Real Madrid drew 3-3 with Rayo Vallecano, leaving them one point behind Barcelona in LaLiga.
- The club criticized referee Juan Martínez Munuera for not awarding a penalty to Vinícius Júnior in the second half.
- Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s performance and expressed optimism for the rest of the season.
- Madrid were missing several key players due to injuries, including Kylian Mbappé and Éder Militão.
As the season progresses, one thing is clear: Real Madrid are determined to fight for every trophy, and they won’t let controversial refereeing decisions hold them back.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland
