Almeyda: "I had never seen two penalties called in two minutes"

Refereeing was once again the protagonist at the Santiago Bernabéu, this time with Sevilla leaving the white coliseum with the feeling that they had competed not only against Real Madrid, but also against a refereeing criterion that was difficult to digest. The performance of Muñiz Ruiz was marked by controversial decisions that conditioned the development of the match and ended up exasperating the Andalusian team.

The final 2-0 score reflects a comfortable victory on the scoreboard, but not in the play or the feelings. Sevilla had up to five clear chances, especially from Isaac Romero, which could have completely changed the script of the match before the referee's decisions finally tipped the scales.

Unequal refereeing criteria marked Real Madrid-Seville

Sevilla players protest to the referee at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid defeated Sevilla (2-0) at the Santiago Bernabéu in a match conditioned by refereeing that once again left a familiar feeling in LaLiga: the criteria were not the same for both teams. Muñiz Ruiz's performance does not solely explain the result, but it did alter the competitive context to the point of neutralizing a Sevilla side that competed, missed chances... and ended up overwhelmed by decisions that were difficult to justify.

• Two actions, two opposing criteria: The turning point came before halftime. Rodrygo committed a studs-up tackle on Marcao, an action that, with a prior yellow card, warranted an expulsion. The referee decided not to sanction. The subsequent protest from the Sevilla bench ended with Matías Almeyda's expulsion in the tunnel.

• The second half confirmed the contrast. In the 68th minute, Marcao did receive a second yellow card for an action on Bellingham, leaving Sevilla with ten men. Two fouls of similar intensity, two opposing resolutions. At that moment, the match was practically decided.

The first major controversy arrived before halftime, when Rodrygo dug his studs into Marcao's ankle. The action, worthy of a second yellow card, went unpunished, to the disbelief of the Sevilla bench. The decision ignited tempers to the point that Matías Almeyda was sent off in the tunnel to the changing rooms for protesting.

The difference in criteria became even more evident in the second half. In the 68th minute, Marcao himself received a second yellow card for a foul on Jude Bellingham, leaving Sevilla with ten players. The comparison between both actions, practically identical in intensity, reinforced the visitors' feeling of grievance

Penalties, ejections, and Sevillista frustration

The penalty shootout chapter also did not help to calm tempers. A push by Fran García on Juanlu inside the box was not reviewed, while a penalty was awarded for Rodrygo's fall. Kylian Mbappé did not miss from eleven meters, scoring his 59th goal of the calendar year

After the match, the discontent was evident. Lucien Agoumé summarized the dressing room's feelings with a forceful statement: "In this match, the same thing always happens, there are things we don't control." The comparison with other European leagues, where similar actions are punished with a direct red card, further fueled the indignation.

Real Madrid vs Sevilla LaLiga 25-26 - Almeyda, coach of Sevilla

Muñiz Ruiz's refereeing not only conditioned the development of the match but also ended up provoking a harsh public reaction from Matías Almeyda, who was sent off at halftime and was very critical afterward of what he described as unacceptable refereeing impunity in LaLiga.

Once in the press room, Almeyda was direct. No beating around the bush or mincing words. The Argentine lamented what he considers a structural permissiveness of the refereeing body and delivered a sentence that summarizes the feelings of the Sevillistas:

"I've never seen two penalties called in two minutes. Ask for the audio, at some point the referees will have to be suspended"

Almeyda lamented the sequence of decisions that ended up dismantling Sevilla and facilitating the second white goal. The coach did not speak of conspiracies, but he did speak of impunity, a very unusual term in official appearances that reflects the level of accumulated frustration.

White victory and noise at the Bernabéu

Not even the victory managed to completely silence the Bernabéu. In several stretches of the match, whistles were heard directed at the white team's play, reflecting a latent discontent with Xabi Alonso's project, despite the fact that the victory allows Real Madrid to get closer to the lead

Real Madrid added three points. Sevilla lost something more: the feeling of having been judged by a different set of rules. And LaLiga, once again, ended the weekend with refereeing as the unwanted protagonist.