Referee decisions and VAR reviews mark Atlético-Real Madrid derby at Metropolitano
Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias rescinded a card for Jude Bellingham, booked Cristian Romero, and later sent off Dean Huijsen during the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano.
Bellingham and Romero disciplinary reversal
The Madrid derby at the Metropolitano reached its first point of friction in the 37th minute when Jude Bellingham and Cristian Romero challenged for a loose 50-50 ball. Bellingham arrived first to touch the ball, but Romero caught the English midfielder on the leg and knee with an accidental studs-up challenge. Match referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias initially penalized Bellingham, displaying a yellow card to Real Madrid's number five for an alleged foul. The video assistant referee intervened under the mistaken identity protocol and reviewed the tackle for potential violent conduct. Ortiz Arias consulted the pitchside monitor, withdrew the yellow card initially issued to Bellingham, and instead gave a yellow card to Romero, allowing the Argentine defender to remain on the field.
Kang-In Lee tackle on Valverde
Only minutes after Romero's booking, another contentious incident occurred in midfield when Kang-In Lee challenged Federico Valverde. The South Korean attacker landed a studs-up stamp on Valverde's ankle and calf during the play. Valverde protested the severity of the contact on the field, and the Real Madrid bench called for an expulsion. Ortiz Arias penalized the challenge by awarding Real Madrid a direct free kick, but the referee declined to issue a card. Because the ball was put back into play quickly, the video assistant referee did not summon Ortiz Arias to the pitchside monitor, leaving Real Madrid's technical staff frustrated by the asymmetry in disciplinary reviews.
- Romero fouls Bellingham; referee Ortiz Arias revokes Bellingham's initial yellow card and books Romero after VAR review
- Kang-In Lee commits a studs-up foul on Valverde; Ortiz Arias awards a free kick without VAR review
- First half ends 0-0 at the Metropolitano after cautious tactical play from both clubs
- Huijsen receives a red card after VAR review for a foul on Giuliano Simeone, and Grimaldo scores the resulting penalty
Penalty award and Huijsen dismissal
Disciplinary reviews altered the match balance in the second half when Ortiz Arias was summoned to evaluate an incident inside the Real Madrid penalty area. Real Madrid center-back Dean Huijsen committed a foul on Atlético attacker Giuliano Simeone inside the box. Ortiz Arias initially awarded a penalty and showed Huijsen a yellow card, but the referee reviewed the footage at the pitchside monitor. Following the check, Ortiz Arias upgraded Huijsen's caution to a direct red card, reducing Real Madrid to ten players. Defender Alejandro Grimaldo stepped up to take the penalty kick and scored past Thibaut Courtois to give Atlético de Madrid the opening goal.
Tactical stalemate and first-half balance
Before the penalty and dismissals shaped the outcome, both teams operated with defensive caution throughout a scoreless opening half. Diego Simeone's Atlético side established higher possession in Real Madrid's defensive third and maintained pressing pressure, though without creating direct shots that troubled Courtois in goal. Real Madrid adopted a conservative tactical approach, sitting deep and conceding initiative rather than testing Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Forwards Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé found minimal space against Atlético's defensive lines, while Bellingham was primarily restricted to defensive containment duties in midfield. The first 45 minutes ended 0-0 before the match turned on refereeing interventions.
