Real Madrid’s Endrick Sent Packing for Shocking Off-the-Ball Challenge
Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Alaves on Tuesday evening will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, thanks to a brutal off-the-ball challenge from Brazilian teenager Endrick. The 19-year-old’s knee appeared to connect with Alaves player Santiago Mourino’s groin in the 83rd minute, leaving fans stunned and calling for stricter punishment.
The incident happened while Real Madrid were weathering a late storm from the Basque outfit, who scored twice in the 88th and 89th minutes to almost snatch a draw. Lucas Vazquez, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodrygo had already given Carlo Ancelotti’s men a 3-0 lead, but it was Endrick’s reckless challenge that stole the spotlight.
Fans on social media are outraged, insisting that the punishment was not severe enough. "Okay but what even is the point of VAR if we’re not gonna check back and give a red for this?" wrote one frustrated fan. Another joked, "Got the ball."
A closer look at the stats reveals that Endrick’s challenge was not his first moment of controversy in the match. He also had a chance to score a goal in the first half, but his effort was saved by Alaves goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco. Despite his individual struggles, Endrick’s importance to Real Madrid’s system cannot be overstated.
Real Madrid’s victory has lifted them to second place in the La Liga standings, just one point behind leaders Barcelona. However, Ancelotti’s men have a game in hand against Getafe, which could see them regain top spot.
The VAR system has been under fire for its inconsistent decisions in recent weeks, and this incident only adds fuel to the fire. "I know Alaves are a dirty team, and I know they got away with a lot in this match, but how the f*** is that not considered violent conduct?" wrote another fan.
As the debate rages on, fans are left wondering what constitutes a red card-worthy challenge. "I mean, this is a sport where hitting an opponent in the balls is treated with the same severity as booting the ball a second after the ref blows the whistle for a foul," argued another fan.
Endrick’s challenge has sparked a wider conversation about the standards of refereeing in Spanish football. With the top clubs in La Liga still jostling for position, the stakes are high, and the need for consistent and fair refereeing decisions has never been greater.
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