Real Madrid achieved a key victory against Alavés (0-1) that allows them to remain strong in the fight for LaLiga. Camavinga's solitary goal was enough to secure the three points. But the result took a back seat.
Because the protagonist was not Camavinga, nor Ancelotti, nor the VAR, it was Kylian Mbappé.
The Action That Changed Everything
It was the 38th minute. Madrid was dominating, although without much brilliance, and then, Mbappé committed a very hard tackle on Antonio Blanco. At shin height, with studs up.
Soto Grado, the referee of the match, initially showed him a yellow card. But the VAR alerted him. After reviewing the play on the screen, he changed his decision: a direct red card for Mbappé.
Silence took over the stadium. Even the most ardent defenders of the Frenchman were left speechless.
The Harshest Criticism: Paco González Didn't Hold Back
After the match, the soccer talk shows heated up, but one voice stood out from the rest. That of Paco González. The veteran journalist from Cadena Cope was blunt in his analysis.
"It's not just the height of the studs," he explained. "There's something that gives him away, he does it on purpose, he bends the knee to hit harder. Ñaca, ñaca."
With that graphic sound and that direct expression, Paco made it clear that, in his opinion, there was intent. And that, coming from Mbappé, one of the most idolized players on the planet, was a real bomb.
Did Mbappé Lose His Head?
The question everyone is asking now is whether Mbappé lost his composure. Some believe it was a result of the moment. An out-of-place action in a tough match, others, like González, see something darker: a premeditated action.
The truth is that the technical gesture of bending the leg before impact is thought-provoking. It's not a clumsy tackle; it's hard and calculated.
Consequences on the Horizon
The expulsion implies, at a minimum, a two-match suspension. But if the Competition Committee considers there was intent, Mbappé could face a longer suspension.
In the worst-case scenario, he could miss several matches right at the most decisive part of the season. That would be a hard blow for Madrid and for Mbappé himself, who is not experiencing his brightest moment since arriving in the capital.