By Miguel Rapetti
Sep 24, 2024, 10:33 PM EDT
Real Madrid’s young Brazilian striker Endrick was embroiled in a controversy on Tuesday after attacking an opponent in the final minutes of his team’s 3-2 victory over Alavés, which could have led to his expulsion from the match.
With the match practically wrapped up in Madrid’s favour, thanks to the 3-0 on the scoreboard, Carlo Ancelotti brought Endrick on to refresh the Real Madrid forward line, but minutes after coming on to the pitch he was involved in the incident that almost left his team with 10 players.
In the 81st minute, the left-footer entered the area while waiting for a cross from the right wing by Lucas Vázquez, but when trying to enter the area he had a clash with the Uruguayan defender Santiago Mouriño who tried to stop him.
Endrick then reacted by kneeing Mouriño in the crotch, leaving him lying on the ground.
The entire Alavés team went to heckle Endrick for the action that the main man of the match ended up being given a yellow card, despite it having represented a direct attack on an opponent.
The play was also not reviewed by the VAR, which led to criticism from Alavés coach Luis García Plaza in a press conference.
“Nobody can say it’s not a red card, everyone sees it. I also understand that the referee doesn’t see it, but that’s what the VAR is for. It’s a red card because he only intended to hit. It’s a red card and I recognise that there were some yellow cards for Real Madrid that could have been avoided, but we should have played against ten men,” said the coach.
Alavés reacted with two consecutive goals at 85′ and 86′, which further increased García Plaza’s complaint because, in his opinion, they would have had greater opportunities to turn the match around by playing the last 15 minutes with numerical superiority.
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Continue reading:
- Endrick becomes the youngest player to score for Real Madrid in the Champions League
- Ancelotti joked about Endrick and his “courage” on and off the pitch
- $1.5 million for every five goals: the millionaire bonuses that Real Madrid pays Endrick