Real Madrid’s Victory Overshadowed by On-Field Skirmish
In what should have been a straightforward celebration of Real Madrid’s 3-0 triumph over Mallorca in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal, the post-match atmosphere was instead marred by an unexpected on-field skirmish. The match, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, saw Real Madrid secure their place in the final, but the focus quickly shifted to the altercation that erupted after the final whistle.
Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, was quick to address the incident, describing the spat between the players of both teams as “unnecessary.” The game had already been decided, with Jude Bellingham putting Madrid ahead in the 63rd minute. The lead was further extended by an own goal from Mallorca’s Martin Valjent and a last-minute strike from Rodrygo Goes, ensuring Madrid’s progression to Sunday’s final.
The tension on the field boiled over after Rodrygo’s goal, leading to a confrontation involving Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo, who had been in frequent clashes with Vinícius Júnior throughout the match. Jude Bellingham and substitute Raúl Asencio were also involved, prompting Ancelotti to step onto the pitch in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
“I tried to calm things down a bit with Maffeo,” Ancelotti explained to Movistar. “I went onto the pitch to help end the fight. The players were upset, but in the end nothing happened.” He reiterated in his post-match news conference, “The fight was unnecessary. The game was over. I don’t blame my players or Mallorca’s players, it was unnecessary for both teams.”
Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was withdrawn as a precaution after a clash of heads, shared his thoughts on the incident. “There’s a Mallorca player [Maffeo] who we have problems with every game,” he said. “People got angry but the most important thing is winning. It isn’t important. We don’t want to talk about this guy because that’s what he wants.”
Mallorca’s coach, Jagoba Arrasate, seemed somewhat detached from the incident, stating, “I don’t know what happened, our players were angry about the two goals, I think. I was a long way away.”
Looking Ahead to the Final
With the semifinal behind them, Real Madrid now turns their attention to the final, where they will face Barcelona. Barcelona secured their spot in the final by defeating Athletic Club 2-0 in the first semifinal held on Wednesday.
Ancelotti expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Clásico, noting, “Recently the Clásico has always been unpredictable. It’s hard to say what the next game will be like. It will be entertaining, there’ll be a lot of quality on the pitch … Right now the team is improving because Bellingham is more active, he’s combining more with Vinícius and Rodrygo.”
Key Players and Performances
- Jude Bellingham: Scored the opening goal and has now netted nine goals in all competitions this season. Despite ending the game with some muscular discomfort, his performance continues to be pivotal for Madrid.
- Rodrygo Goes: Sealed the victory with a last-minute goal, further showcasing his importance to the team.
- Vinícius Júnior: Although involved in on-field tensions, his contributions remain crucial to Madrid’s attacking prowess.
Aurélien Tchouaméni praised Bellingham, stating, “Jude is a phenomenal player. He helps us win games all the time.”
As the dust settles from the semifinal skirmish, all eyes will be on the final showdown between two of Spain’s football giants. The anticipation is palpable, and fans are eager to see how the drama unfolds on the pitch.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland,Rodrigo Faez
