Bellingham sees red as Madrid win « Euro Weekly News

Jude Bellingham found himself at the centre of controversy during Real Madrid’s victory at El Sadar, picking up a straight red card in the 39th minute after allegedly insulting the referee, Munuera Montero.

Despite the setback of playing with ten men for more than half the match, Carlo Ancelotti’s side managed to secure three vital points to stay ahead in the LaLiga title race.

Bellingham’s red card: Could he face a lengthy suspension?

Things turned sour for Madrid in the first half when Bellingham became embroiled in a heated exchange with the referee. The English midfielder could now face a suspension ranging from four to twelve matches, depending on how the officials classify his comments.

Under the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code, a direct insult can carry a harsher punishment, which might sideline Bellingham for key league fixtures against Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as a Copa del Rey semifinal clash with Real Sociedad. If the incident is deemed less severe—a sign of disrespect rather than a direct insult—he could escape with a shorter, two- or three-match ban.

Madrid were already on edge after several of the referee’s decisions went against them, leading to constant protests on the pitch. From home, the injured Dani Carvajal reacted with a pointed social media post hinting that a dismissal was inevitable. Even assistant coach Davide Ancelotti had to calm his father, who had been booked for protesting and looked set to confront Munuera Montero at halftime.

Mbappé scores early as ten-man Madrid fight for victory

Real Madrid took the lead in the 15th minute when Kylian Mbappé capitalised on a defensive error, neatly slotting home to put the visitors ahead. Vinícius Júnior also looked lively and could have extended the advantage, but the referee’s refusal to award a penalty for one of several contested incidents fuelled further frustration in the Madrid camp.

After Bellingham’s red card, Ancelotti’s men switched to a more defensive setup, determined to preserve their slender lead. Osasuna, buoyed by a vocal crowd at El Sadar, pushed hard to exploit their numerical advantage. However, Andriy Lunin stood firm in goal, and the Madrid back line held tight, ultimately claiming a victory that keeps them top of the LaLiga standings.

All eyes now turn to the disciplinary committee, whose final verdict on Bellingham’s suspension could have a huge influence on Real Madrid’s next few matches—both in the league and the cup.

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