Real Madrid traveled to face Deportivo Alaves on Matchday 31 of the 2024-25 La Liga season, just days before a crucial UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal. But the match took an unexpected turn when Kylian Mbappe received his first red card since joining Los Blancos, following a reckless challenge.
Madrid opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a spectacular long-range strike from Eduardo Camavinga. However, momentum quickly shifted just a few minutes later.
In the 36th minute, Mbappe lunged into a dangerous tackle on Antonio Blanco, catching the Alaves midfielder high on the ankle and leaving him writhing in pain. Initially, referee Cesar Soto Grado issued a yellow card for the foul.
But after a VAR review, Soto Grado reversed his decision, deeming the challenge excessive. Mbappe was shown a straight red card in the 38th minute, leaving Real Madrid down a man for the remainder of the match.
Since joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, Mbappe had received three bookings in La Liga and one in the Champions League. This is his first red card as a Real Madrid player—and it came directly from a straight red. The last time he was sent off at the club level was in the Coupe de France final on April 27, 2019.
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Across his career, Mbappe has now received four red cards—all of them straight reds, and none resulting from double yellow cards. Three of those came during his time at Paris Saint-Germain; this latest against Alaves is his first in Spain.
How long will Mbappe be suspended?
Questions have emerged regarding the length of Mbappe’s suspension. If the ban stretches to four or more matches, he could miss the highly anticipated Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona. However, early reports suggest the punishment may be less severe.
According to Diario AS, since Antonio Blanco did not suffer an injury from the challenge, Article 130 of the disciplinary code is expected to apply. This stipulates that in cases involving dangerous play without injury, suspensions typically range from one to three matches.
