Jude Bellingham Challenges Referee After Contentious Real Madrid Derby Loss

After Real Madrid's narrow 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, midfielder Jude Bellingham showed clear frustration towards referee Ortiz Arias as the final whistle blew. The match was marked by controversial calls that left Real Madrid unsettled.

Disputed Incident with Cristian Romero

The key moment came in the 35th minute when Bellingham was caught by Cristian Romero’s studs during a challenge. Initially, Ortiz Arias booked Bellingham for the incident. However, after a VAR review prompted by official Trujillo Suarez, the referee checked the monitor and reversed his decision, rescinding Bellingham’s yellow card and booking Romero instead. Despite this, Real Madrid felt Romero should have been sent off due to the severity of the foul.

Kang-in Lee’s Challenge Adds to Controversy

Just nine minutes later, Kang-in Lee made a rough tackle on Federico Valverde, again using studs near the ankle. Ortiz Arias saw the incident but chose not to issue any card. VAR did not call for a review either, increasing Real Madrid’s frustration over what they perceived as inconsistent officiating.

These two early incidents set the tone for the derby, especially when Huijsen was later sent off after a VAR review for a foul on Giuliano Simeone. Real Madrid ultimately lost the match 2-1, with players visibly displeased by the disciplinary decisions.

Bellingham’s Final Words Reflect Team Sentiment

At the final whistle, Bellingham made his stance obvious by shouting at the referee, "Two red cards! Two!" This succinctly expressed his belief that both challenges warranted dismissals. His reaction mirrored the mood within the Real Madrid squad, highlighting ongoing debate about the refereeing choices that kept Atletico Madrid at full strength during much of the first half.