Tchouaméni's long shot hits a young boy in the Santander stands, then he gives him a shirt

A shot into the stands

Real Madrid won 3-0 at Racing Santander on Sunday, 1 November, at El Sardinero, with goals from Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande. Notícias ao Minuto reports that Mbappé scored from a penalty. Around the 50th minute, Aurélien Tchouaméni shot from about 30 metres, according to 20minutes, and the ball sailed over the goal and into the stands. It struck a young boy watching from the lower terrace, whom ABC describes as about four years old. Television cameras, ABC reports, showed the blow knocking the child into another spectator, and he was then seen crying in his father's arms.

Accounts of the impact

The reports differ on how the boy was hit. AD says the ball did not strike his head and that he managed to bat it away with his hand, while Notícias ao Minuto says he was knocked to the ground and 20minutes describes him as stunned. ABC says the ball hit him in the face. All versions agree that his father comforted him. The boy's father told DAZN, as quoted by 20minutes, that it had been only a scare and that his son was fine. AD reports that the footage spread quickly online after the match.

A shirt and an apology

After the final whistle, the boy and his father were brought to the tunnel area. AD reports that Tchouaméni apologised, spoke briefly with the boy and gave him a signed shirt before leaving for Madrid. The Frenchman then shared a photo of the meeting on Instagram to reassure fans, captioned with the words that everything was going well, followed by two hearts. The boy's father later praised the club for the small gesture, saying the way Real Madrid had treated them was very appreciated.

Mbappé's joke

Mbappé then came over to the boy and, while the father was being interviewed by Real Madrid TV, teased his compatriot. 7sur7 reports the words he used:

“It's Tchouameni's fault, he can't shoot.”

AD reports that Mbappé then posed for a photo with the boy. The father joked afterwards that the family supported Santander but could still appreciate Real Madrid, according to AD.