Mundo Deportivo accuses Real Madrid of beating Racing Santander with referee’s help

Mundo Deportivo has criticised Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Racing Santander, claiming the Spanish club benefited from a controversial refereeing decision after a penalty was awarded to Kylian Mbappe.

Referee Montero Montero pointed to the spot roughly 10 minutes into the match following contact between Mbappe and Matteo Prati inside the penalty area. The Catalan newspaper described the decision as unjustified and argued that it gave Jose Mourinho’s side the platform to take control of the game.

Its headline read: “Real Madrid, known for their tricks and suspicious deals, beat Racing with the referee’s help.”

Mundo Deportivo said Montero Montero was the only person who had seen an offence worthy of a penalty. It suggested, sarcastically, that Mbappe’s fall after Prati placed an arm in front of him had been enough to convince the referee to award the kick.

Mbappe converted the penalty to put Real Madrid ahead, giving them a significant advantage despite Racing’s resistance during the opening stages. The newspaper regarded the decision as the turning point in a match that delivered Real Madrid’s sixth consecutive victory in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Real Madrid turn pressure into three goals

The report also acknowledged Real Madrid’s attacking quality after the opening goal. It highlighted the combination between Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham for the second, with Guler releasing his English team-mate, who rounded goalkeeper Agirrezabala before finishing into an empty net.

Mundo Deportivo linked the third goal to an injury suffered by Alvaro Mantilla, which left Racing in a difficult position. Yan Diomande then produced an impressive strike from the edge of the penalty area, sending the ball into the top corner to give Real Madrid a 3-0 lead before half-time.

Racing attempted to respond after the interval and put Real Madrid under pressure, but could not change the score. Mbappe came close to adding another goal when one effort struck the post, while a second attempt went over the crossbar.

The newspaper also discussed a separate penalty incident involving Aurelien Tchouameni. A spot-kick was initially awarded after the ball struck the Real Madrid midfielder’s hand, but Montero Montero overturned the decision following a VAR review. The ball had rebounded from the Frenchman’s foot onto his hand, leading the referee to cancel the penalty.

Bellingham later had a fourth goal ruled out for offside. Mundo Deportivo concluded that the contest had already been settled and said Real Madrid had taken advantage of what it called Racing’s “slim chances” from the outset, securing three points despite the controversy surrounding the decision that opened the scoring.

Real Madrid’s next fixtures are against AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League on 04 November 2026 and Malaga in La Liga on 07 November 2026. Racing Santander are also scheduled to face Malaga in La Liga on 07 November 2026.