Madrid’s Frustrating Draw Against Elche Sparks Controversy

Real Madrid faced a disappointing 2-2 draw against Elche, marking their third consecutive match without a victory across all competitions. The team was forced to come from behind twice, with goals from Aleix Febas and Alvaro Rodriguez putting them at a disadvantage. However, Jude Bellingham equalized in the 87th minute, leading to intense protests from the home side. The goal was preceded by a collision between Vinicius and Elche goalkeeper Pena, who was left bleeding from the nose. Despite the protests and a VAR review, the goal was upheld.

Elche’s manager, Eder Sarabia, expressed his outrage in the aftermath of the match, insisting that a foul should have been called. He stated, “It’s a clear foul. Not a normal part of the game. That’s what VAR is for. It’s very clear; it hits the goalkeeper and even draws blood. It’s crystal clear.”

Sarabia elaborated on his dissatisfaction in his post-match comments, emphasizing, “I’m not at all happy with the result, especially considering the decisive moments of the match. Vinicius’s foul for the 2-2 equalizer was crystal clear. Inaki didn’t see the play, but it wasn’t just a normal part of the game; it was a clear foul. It frustrates me to waste time on these discussions.” His remarks reignited the ongoing debate concerning refereeing standards, particularly in light of the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) new “Review Time” system.

In a discussion on El Partidazo de COPE, former Madrid striker Fernando Morientes, a member of the advisory group for reviewed incidents, explained why the collision would not be under review. He noted, “The panel had already unanimously agreed on which plays to review this week. This incident occurred in the latter parts of the match, and we all believe it was a completely fortuitous play.” Morientes added, “To me, it seemed accidental, a typical interaction between a striker and a goalkeeper.”

He further reflected on his experiences as a striker, stating, “I’ve bled from contact with opponents countless times, and goalkeepers often endure this in similar situations.”

While the Review Time committee classified the incident as “fortuitous,” goalkeeper Pena expressed a different perspective after reviewing the footage in the dressing room. He revised his initial comments and stated, “He shoots, tries to go for the rebound, but on the second play, he doesn’t let me participate because he knocks me out. For me, it is a foul, but if the referee reviews it with VAR and decides it’s not a foul, there’s nothing more we can do.”

Pena’s change in tone reflected the growing frustration within the Elche camp, who believed they deserved more than a single point after leading the match twice. This incident further fueled the narrative that officiating decisions have frequently favored Madrid this season.

Looking ahead, Madrid will shift their focus to the Champions League, facing Olympiacos in Athens on Wednesday. A victory would help regain momentum and solidify their position in the group after a challenging domestic stretch. Following their European match, Madrid will encounter Girona, who currently sit 18th in La Liga, as they strive to stabilize their league performance. Despite recent challenges, Madrid remains at the top of the league table with 32 points, just one point ahead of Barcelona.

Manager Xabi Alonso has called on his squad to elevate their intensity and return to the high standards that characterized their strong start to the campaign. All eyes will be on whether Los Blancos can turn this message into tangible results and navigate past another contentious refereeing incident.