Mbappé's penalty against Santander officially recognized as refereeing error

Spain’s refereeing technical committee (CTA) officially acknowledged that the penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé in the 11th minute of the Real Madrid–Racing Santander match last Sunday in La Liga constituted a manifest error by the referee. Real Madrid won 3-0.

The disputed action involved Santander midfielder Matteo Prati, who had extended his arm toward Mbappé in the opposing penalty area. Following an in-depth analysis conducted three days after the match, the CTA delivered an unambiguous verdict: “Prati extends his arm in front of the attacker without exerting any pressure. Clear absence of causal link. This is not a penalty. Manifest and flagrant error by the referee. VAR should have intervened.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the opening goal, Real Madrid went on to control the game: Jude Bellingham doubled the lead ten minutes later, before Yan Diomandé made it 3-0, all before halftime.

This refereeing decision, corrected after the fact, comes amid heightened rivalry in La Liga. Real Madrid currently sits fourth in the standings, one point behind Atlético de Madrid and three points behind FC Barcelona, still leaders after their emphatic 6-1 victory over Alavés. The Catalan club, regularly quick to denounce decisions favoring its Madrid rival, will not fail to add this episode to its list of grievances.

Real Madrid travels to Athens on Wednesday to face AEK in the fourth matchday of the Ligue des Champions.