Real Sociedad Defender Escapes with Just a Yellow After Brutal Challenge on Vinicius Jr

During the Copa del Rey semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, a controversial moment occurred when defender Jon Ander Olasagasti made a dangerous tackle on Vinicius Junior in the 106th minute. Olasagasti’s challenge saw him clip Vinicius directly on the knee—a reckless and potentially injury-causing foul.

Despite the severity of the tackle, the referee opted to show only a yellow card, a decision that immediately sparked debate. Former referee and football analyst Iturralde González defended the call, stating that a yellow card was sufficient and that a red card was not necessary in this situation.

The match was full of contentious refereeing decisions. One key moment was a potential penalty incident involving Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who appeared to be struck in the face by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro inside the box. However, no foul was given. Additionally, there were complaints from Real Sociedad that Kylian Mbappé was in an offside position before Madrid’s equalizer to make it 3-3. These decisions fueled further discussions about the referee’s performance.

Real Sociedad’s manager, Imanol Alguacil, voiced his frustration after the match, claiming that his team had been unfairly eliminated. He also suggested that Real Madrid did not need “this kind of help” to secure victory.

The controversy surrounding Olasagasti’s challenge and other referee decisions has once again highlighted the need for improved officiating in high-stakes matches. Ensuring fairness and player safety remains a top priority in football, especially in crucial cup ties like this one.