In a dramatic encounter at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge during a 1-0 victory over Alaves in La Liga on April 13, 2025. The match, which saw Eduardo Camavinga score the only goal, was marked by intense emotions and crucial decisions that could impact both teams' upcoming fixtures.
Camavinga's stunning strike came just four minutes before Mbappe's ill-fated tackle on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco. The young Frenchman found the back of the net with a powerful shot, giving Madrid hope as they aimed to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona. However, the game took a turn when Mbappe, frustrated by earlier decisions from the referee, Cesar Soto, lunged into Blanco with a dangerous challenge that left the Alaves player writhing on the ground.
After a VAR review, Soto had no choice but to issue a red card to Mbappe, marking a rare moment of recklessness from the forward, who had only received three red cards in his entire professional career prior to this match. This incident drew widespread condemnation, notably from TV personality Piers Morgan, who tweeted, "Disgusting 'tackle' by Mbappe. Vicious intent and could have broken the guy's leg. Red card should be the very least of his punishment."
The fallout from the tackle has sparked discussions about the severity of the punishment Mbappe might face. Typically, a red card in La Liga results in a two-match suspension, which means he will miss upcoming league games against Athletic Bilbao and Getafe. However, if the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RSFF) deems the challenge particularly egregious, the suspension could extend to three matches, potentially ruling him out of the Copa del Rey final against arch-rivals Barcelona on April 26.
In the immediate aftermath of the match, Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti defended Mbappe, stating, "It was a clear red. He apologised; he's not a violent guy. He understands what he did. All the fouls he received made him react in that way." This sentiment echoed the thoughts of pundit Craig Burley, who criticized the challenge as "horrendous" and potentially career-ending, emphasizing the danger posed to Blanco during the incident.
Despite the red card, Real Madrid managed to secure the win, narrowing the gap to four points behind Barcelona, who also won their match against Leganes earlier in the weekend. The victory was crucial for Madrid as they push for the La Liga title with only seven games remaining in the season. The win keeps the pressure on Barcelona, who are looking to maintain their lead at the top.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid's schedule includes a crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Arsenal on April 16, where they will attempt to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg. While Mbappe's suspension applies only to domestic competitions, his absence will be felt in the upcoming league matches, especially with Camavinga also sidelined due to a second yellow card received in the first leg against Arsenal.
As the team prepares for the next fixtures, the focus will be on how they can adapt without two of their key players. The challenge against Arsenal will be particularly daunting, given the significant deficit they face. However, with the Bernabeu crowd behind them, Madrid will be looking to turn the tide and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
In conclusion, the events of April 13 have set the stage for a tense few weeks for Real Madrid. With league and cup aspirations hanging in the balance, the team must regroup and find a way to navigate the challenges ahead, all while dealing with the fallout from Mbappe's controversial red card.
