Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold witnessed firsthand the tensions of a high-stakes Clasico as Real Madrid fell 3-2 to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday night. Three players, including Alexander-Arnold’s friend Jude Bellingham, saw red for confronting referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
The trouble began when Jules Kounde’s late goal put Barcelona in the lead during stoppage time, setting off the Real squad. Lucas Vasquez and Vinicius Jr couldn’t hold back their protests over a contentious decision, resulting in Vasquez seeing red.
Chaos ensued as Antonio Rudiger also earned himself a sending-off after hurling what was alleged to be ice at the referee, and had to be escorted down the tunnel by his peers.
Bellingham then completed an unwanted hat-trick of dismissals with a red card for dissent. Picked up by a pitchside mic, the English prodigy was heard pleading: “Make him understand, everything is going their [Barcelona’s] way, everything 50-50 goes their way.”
Referee De Burgos Bengoetxea later clarified the reasoning behind each of the sending-offs in his post-match report, specifically noting: “In the 120th minute, Antonio Rudiger was sent off for the following reason: For throwing an object from the technical area, which missed me.
“After being shown the red card, he had to be restrained by several members of the coaching staff, displaying an aggressive attitude. In the 120th minute, Lucas Vasquez was sent off for the following reason: For protesting one of our decisions, entering the field of play for several metres, making gestures of disagreement.
“Jude Bellingham was sent off for the following reason: After the end of the match, he approached our position in an aggressive attitude, having to be restrained by his teammates.”
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The behavior of Los Blancos post-match has drawn significant criticism in Spain, with TV presenter Dani Garrido commenting: “I’m deeply saddened by Vinicius and Rudiger’s reaction.
“Rudiger’s attitude, especially, was deplorable. Lucas may have insulted, Vinicius came off like a madman, but what Rudiger did is unforgivable, and he’s going to get a historic ban.”
Before the game even kicked off, Real Madrid faced scrutiny after their official TV channel aired a video focusing on the win percentages of Barcelona and Los Blancos when the 39-year-old referee has been in charge, highlighting supposed errors and his lack of experience in Champions League or FIFA competitions. Rumors swirled that Real might boycott the match, but they confirmed that was never under consideration.
In a heartfelt press conference prior to the finale in Seville, De Burgos Bengoetxea confronted the accusations levelled against him. “When a child of yours goes to school and there are kids telling him that his father is a ‘thief’ and comes home crying, it’s totally messed up,” he declared.
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“What I do is try to educate my son, to say that his father is honest, above all honest, who can make mistakes, like any sportsperson.”
This dramatic ordeal serves to sketch out a scene for Alexander-Arnold, illustrating the kind of environment he could find himself in should he opt to leave Anfield this summer.
Although Real Madrid made an attempt to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, which Liverpool rebuffed, the full-back’s future remains uncertain as he contemplates his next move.
With his current deal due to expire at season’s end, the urgency on his decision is high. Last weekend, Alexander-Arnold’s footballing prowess was on full display; he netted the decisive goal enabling Liverpool to claim victory over Leicester City, followed by jubilant celebrations where the right-back tore off his jersey and proudly displayed it before the visiting fans.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
