Even Iturralde explodes over the red card forgiven to Espanyol: Almost takes Mbappé out

The refereeing performance in the RCD Espanyol - Real Madrid match has caused a great controversy. The most controversial action came in the 61st minute. Carlos Romero, Espanyol's full-back, made a very hard tackle on Kylian Mbappé.

The defender's studs hit the Frenchman's calf as he was launching the counterattack. The play ended with a yellow card, but it could have been much worse for the white forward.

Iturralde González, forceful

The former referee and 'Carrusel Deportivo' analyst, Iturralde González, didn't hesitate to criticize the referee's decision. "It's a red, very red, and even more red," he stated emphatically.

According to Iturralde, the main mistake was not reviewing the action in the VAR. "The referee has to see it. I think the VAR doesn't call him—and for me, it's wrong not to call him—because he doesn't hit him with all the studs, but scrapes him."

The former referee didn't stop there. "In this play, you don't reach the ball, you have no contest, you go with the studs, up... It has it all."

He even went further in his analysis: "It's one of the worst tackles I've seen in recent years because it could end your career."

Controversy on social media

The decision not to send off Romero sparked a wave of criticism on social media. Madridist fans were outraged. "If a Madrid player did this, they would be sent off without hesitation," wrote a user on X.

Others recalled similar cases where Real Madrid did suffer expulsions for similar actions.

Ancelotti's team not only suffered this action. In the 84th minute, Carlos Romero himself scored the goal that gave Espanyol the victory. A hard blow for the whites, who with the defeat see their lead in LaLiga reduced.

Now, Madrid will play for the leadership in the classic against Atlético de Madrid. A key match, where any refereeing error could be decisive.