In a dramatic conclusion to the Copa del Rey final, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea issued three red cards to Real Madrid players, overshadowing Barcelona's historic triumph in the prestigious tournament.
The match reached boiling point in its closing stages when Antonio Rüdiger was dismissed for 'throwing an object from the technical area toward the referee without direct impact,' according to Marca's report citing the official match protocol.
The disciplinary action continued as Lucas Vázquez received his marching orders after 'entering several meters onto the field while emotionally protesting one of the referee's decisions.'
English star Jude Bellingham completed the trio of ejections, punished for what officials described as 'aggressive behavior during an argument with the referee.' Teammates reportedly had to restrain the midfielder during the heated exchange.
Lost amid the controversy was Barcelona's significant achievement, as they secured their 32nd Copa del Rey title, extending their own record in the competition. Statbet analysis shows this victory further widens the gap between the Spanish giants, with Real Madrid having claimed the trophy 20 times throughout their history.
Following the incident, Rüdiger has since issued a public apology for his conduct during the match, acknowledging his actions in a statement released after the game.
