In the Spanish media, there was not only praise for Kylian Mbappé after his key role in the clash between Real Madrid and Leganés. There was also criticism of the officiating. Real Madrid was said to have received an unjustified penalty and free kick.
Real Madrid secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Leganés, but the match was once again overshadowed by controversy surrounding refereeing decisions.
This fixture, held at the Santiago Bernabéu, was expected to be a straightforward encounter for the reigning La Liga champions, but it quickly turned into yet another chapter in what has become a season riddled with contentious officiating calls.
Refereeing in Spain has been a contentious issue throughout the season, with multiple clubs voicing their displeasure over decisions that appear to consistently favor certain teams. Saturday's encounter between Real Madrid and Leganés added more fuel to the ongoing debate. Two specific decisions a penalty and a free kick awarded to Real Madrid— have come under intense scrutiny from fans, players, and pundits alike.
The decisive free kick, which played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s victory, involved former Eredivisie player Renato Tapia. The moment occurred late in the match, with Real Madrid pressing relentlessly for a winning goal. Tapia was judged to have fouled Real Madrid's Rodrygo just outside the penalty area, though video replays showed minimal contact, if any at all. The resulting free kick was expertly converted by Kylian Mbappé, who bent the ball around the wall and into the top corner, securing all three points for his team.
Tapia expressed his disagreement with referee Pablo González Fuertes's decision on social media, making it clear he was frustrated with the officiating. His post-match comments reflected a wider sentiment of disillusionment shared by many within the club and beyond.
"I hope the club follows the example of other clubs and speaks out against this. We keep having bad luck with refereeing decisions," Tapia stated, echoing the frustrations of both his teammates and supporters who feel that their efforts are being undermined by unfair officiating.
An official statement from Leganés has (so far) not been released. However, the club did express on social media that they feel robbed. "And then tonight we will also lose an hour of time," Leganés joked, referring to the clock being moved forward for daylight saving time. Though the comment was made in jest, the underlying frustration was evident.
The Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo also raised questions about the refereeing performance. "The Asturian referee made several controversial decisions that ultimately proved decisive for the outcome of the match." The publication went on to break down several key moments that, in their view, influenced the final result.
"The match between Real Madrid and Leganés seemed like one that would pass without incident, but referee González was surrounded by controversy throughout the evening, making various debatable decisions that have divided opinions. During the penalty incident, the Real Madrid player was touched so lightly that it did not seem sufficient to justify awarding a penalty. Yet, he gave the penalty, and VAR did nothing."
This particular moment occurred when Brahim Díaz went down in the box following minimal contact. To the surprise of the Leganés players and coaching staff, the referee pointed to the spot. Kylian Mbappé confidently converted the penalty, leveling the score at a crucial stage of the game. VAR, which has been implemented precisely to address such errors, remained silent, further frustrating Leganés.
"And finally, the most decisive action was undoubtedly the foul by Tapia on Rodrygo, which was also very minor. The non-existent foul resulted in Real Madrid’s winning goal thanks to a free kick from Kylian Mbappé. At the moment, errors are being made in all aspects of the game that are only ruining the match," Mundo Deportivo concluded.
The Catalan newspaper SPORT also weighed in, stating that Real Madrid is, without a doubt, the team in Europe most frequently favored with penalty decisions. This claim was supported by statistics showing that Los Blancos have been awarded more penalties than any other team in the top five European leagues this season. The assertion has further stirred the pot, with critics suggesting that favoritism toward Real Madrid has compromised the integrity of La Liga.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, was quick to dismiss the complaints from Leganés. In his post-match press conference, he appeared frustrated by the continued narrative that his team receives favorable treatment from officials.
"They keep whining, but before the 1-2, the referee could have also blown the whistle for a foul on Brahim Díaz," Ancelotti remarked. "There were a few moments when the referee made a questionable decision. Sometimes they complain, sometimes we complain."
Ancelotti's comments highlighted the broader issue of inconsistency in officiating that has plagued La Liga this season. The Italian manager insisted that bad decisions are part of the game and that his team has also been on the wrong end of questionable calls on numerous occasions.
Despite the controversy, there were also positive comments, mainly about Mbappé’s performance, who once again proved invaluable with two goals. The French star, who has been in blistering form since his arrival at Real Madrid, scored a free kick that ultimately secured the victory.
"Mbappé took Real Madrid by the hand when the team needed it most. He scored a free kick, equaling the total of 33 goals Cristiano Ronaldo scored in his debut season," noted MARCA. The comparison to Ronaldo is no small praise, considering the Portuguese legend’s status as one of the greatest players to have ever donned the white shirt.
Mbappé’s remarkable consistency and knack for scoring crucial goals have been instrumental in Real Madrid’s continued push for silverware this season. With 33 goals already to his name, he has matched Cristiano Ronaldo's goal tally from his debut season at Real Madrid an achievement that underscores the impact he has made since joining the club.
As the debate over officiating continues to rage on, Real Madrid remains focused on their pursuit of domestic and European success. However, the lingering accusations of bias and favoritism will undoubtedly cast a shadow over their achievements, especially if controversial decisions continue to play a role in their victories.
The ongoing discussion about refereeing standards in Spain shows no signs of dissipating. Whether through formal complaints from clubs or outspoken comments from players, the issue remains a major talking point. Calls for reform and greater consistency in decision-making are growing louder, with many demanding that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) take action to restore credibility to the league.
As for Renato Tapia and Leganés, their frustration is likely to persist. Unless changes are made to address the perceived inconsistencies, it seems inevitable that similar controversies will arise again in future matches.
