Mbappé's Red Card Won't Keep Him From Copa Final Despite His Controversial Entry
In a tense match against Alavés, Kylian Mbappé was handed a direct red card after a violent challenge on Antonio Blanco, which saw his right boot making contact with the midfielder’s shin. The incident occurred in the 38th minute of the game, with the French striker seemingly misjudging the challenge as he tried to win the ball. Initially, the referee, Soto Grado, showed a yellow card, but after consulting the VAR, he revised his decision and sent Mbappé off.
The red card came after a build-up of frustration from Mbappé, who had been angered by a no-call on what appeared to be a clear foul by Alavés' Abqar earlier in the match. With emotions running high, Mbappé reacted strongly, going in hard for the ball and resulting in a challenge that caught Blanco squarely in the shin. Though it seemed unintentional, the aggressive nature of the tackle left little room for debate.
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Despite the seriousness of the incident, Mbappé’s potential suspension will not keep him out of the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26. According to the regulations, a direct red card for such an offense can lead to a suspension ranging from one to three matches, but in this case, Mbappé will not face a suspension long enough to miss the final. This is because there was no injury to Blanco and the challenge was made in an attempt to win the ball, which acts as a mitigating factor in the decision.
After the match, Mbappé sought out Blanco to apologize for the tackle and expressed concern for his well-being, emphasizing that he never intended to harm him. The Real Madrid player, who has been involved in a few similar incidents in the past, took full responsibility for his actions, showing respect and sportsmanship after the fact. The club also conveyed that Mbappé’s frustration came from a series of unpunished fouls against him during the match, which contributed to the escalation.
This red card marks Mbappé’s fourth career expulsion, with the previous instances coming in the French Cup and Ligue 1. Despite his history with controversial moments, this particular incident highlights a deeper issue for both Mbappé and Real Madrid: inconsistency in performances and mental lapses that are affecting the team this season. Real Madrid, despite being reduced to ten men, managed to hold on for a narrow victory, with Eduardo Camavinga’s first-half goal proving to be the difference in a hard-fought match.
Looking ahead to the Copa del Rey final, it’s clear that Real Madrid will need a focused and composed Mbappé to help them secure silverware. The team has been dealing with its own internal challenges, and while Mbappé’s red card was a setback, the forward's apology and the club’s readiness to move forward show their determination. The stakes will be high as they face Barcelona in what promises to be a thrilling final at La Cartuja.
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