Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the first Clásico of the Spanish league season at the Spotify Camp Nou, surviving a contentious late penalty appeal in the second half. Referee Juan Martínez Munuera dismissed claims for a handball against Alejandro Baldé after a 69th-minute tangle with Kylian Mbappé inside the penalty area.
Clásico Penalty Appeal Dismissed at Camp Nou
The flashpoint occurred in the 69th minute of the high-stakes fixture as Real Madrid held their narrow advantage against their traditional rivals. Los Blancos players immediately surrounded the referee and appealed for a penalty kick, arguing that Barcelona defender Alejandro Baldé handled the ball while tangling with Kylian Mbappé inside the box.
Final en Barcelona.@Emirates pic.twitter.com/ci1w3WN98h
— https://x.com/realmadridfem/status/2106821513475465492
Referee Juan Martínez Munuera waved away the protests, allowing play to continue without consulting the video assistant referee monitor. The decision preserved Real Madrid’s lead en route to a 2-1 victory away from home in the opening league Clásico of the campaign.
Refereeing Expert Analyzes the Handball Incident
Iturralde González, the resident refereeing expert for the newspaper AS and the radio station Cadena SER, weighed in on the controversial moment immediately after the match. He supported the match official’s on-field decision to let play continue.
There is nothing abnormal, it is just a football play,
Iturralde González stated in his analysis for AS and Cadena SER. Both were competing for the ball, and it struck Baldé’s hand, which was at the lower part of his body.
The former referee added context regarding the positioning of the defender’s arm during the physical duel with the French forward. His arm was in a natural position to compete for the ball,
he said via Cadena SER. It is true that it touched his hand, but this handball does not deserve to be punished.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Clásico Clash
Who refereed the Spanish league match between Barcelona and Real Madrid?
Juan Martínez Munuera served as the referee for the fixture at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Which player was involved in the disputed 69th-minute incident with Alejandro Baldé?
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé tangled with Baldé inside the penalty box when the ball struck the defender’s arm.
What was the final score of the match?
Real Madrid won the encounter 2-1 against Barcelona.
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