The Real Champs
Fansided

Three takeaways from Real Madrid’s bizarre win over Levante

By Ben Sundock

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides first goal whit Luka Modric during the week 25 of La Liga match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Ciutat de Velencia Stadium in Valencia, Spain on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides first goal whit Luka Modric during the week 25 of La Liga match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Ciutat de Velencia Stadium in Valencia, Spain on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Jose Breton/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
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VALENCIA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 24: The referee Iglesias Villanueva review an action on the VAR screen during the La Liga match between Levante UD and Real Madrid CF at Ciutat de Valencia on February 24, 2019 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
VALENCIA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 24: The referee Iglesias Villanueva review an action on the VAR screen during the La Liga match between Levante UD and Real Madrid CF at Ciutat de Valencia on February 24, 2019 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

The red card fiasco

Real Madrid has been getting the referee involved in a lot of the matches recently it has seemed. After Sergio Ramos received a red-card in the shock loss to Girona last weekend, Nacho Fernandez earned two yellow cards in this game and was sent to the dressing room in the 86th minute.

That was not the only red card we saw, however. Levante midfielder Rubén Rochina received a yellow card early in the first half and a second yellow from the bench in the 89th minute after being subbed off nearly a half hour earlier.

He was shown berating the officials and continued his protest while being shown the red by Villanueva.

The head referee was busy on the night as he distributed a total of eight cards on the night and two to players on the bench. To go along with all the disciplines shown over the 90 minutes, Villanueva called 27 fouls and consulted VAR on multiple occasions.

The most controversial was the penalty he awarded to Real Madrid after it appeared Casemiro was kicked in the shin by Cheick Doukoure. Upon watching the review, it was clear that Doukoure barely touched the pad on his leg.

VAR upheld the decision and Bale converted seconds later.

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