Real Madrid have now lost three out of three Clasicos in the 2024/25 season, throwing away their second potential title of the campaign with a 3-2 defeat in extra time to Barcelona in the 2025 Copa del Rey Final.
Despite the defeat, Real Madrid did have some silver linings, as they bounced back from another putrid first half to make things respectable, even taking the lead before Ferran Torres's equalizer. But, once again, Real were their own worst enemies and could not seal the deal in the end.
The big talking point after the match, though, isn't the loss, but rather Real Madrid center back Antonio Rudiger's inexplicable actions to end the game. Perhaps he was upset that Eric Garcia embellished some contact in a challenge with Madrid star forward Kylian Mbappe, but Rudiger had a crashout for the ages.
Antonio Rudiger could miss at least four games
Rudiger started screaming on the sidelines and had to be restrained by multiple Real Madrid teammates. He then launched an object at the referee, who was standing in the middle of the pitch, and continued to scream, completely derailing the game. Rudiger was obviously shown a red card by the official, as were Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham.
According to a report from Cadena SER, Antonio Rudiger now faces a suspension of at least four games for his actions that both derailed the game and put the referee at harm. A suspension could go up to 12 games, which is the maximum, and suspensions of this length are eligible for LaLiga, not just the Copa del Rey.
So with five games remaining for Real Madrid in the LaLiga title race and no margin for error, Rudiger could very well be out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. Since he is the most senior center back in the squad, Rudiger's absence would be very costly to a defense that has been suspect all season long.
Real Madrid are not on LaLiga's good side
Real Madrid have to face Barcelona in one last Clasico in two weeks, and failing to beat the Blaugrana in this match would doom the title to their bitter rivals. Even if they win, that would not guarantee a LaLiga title for Real Madrid, since they are four points behind. But a loss would almost certainly kill their chances at a title. Plus, Rudiger's absence would hurt them in other games, such as next weekend's battle against Borja Iglesias, Iago Aspas, and a Celta Vigo side very much in European contention.
And don't expect LaLiga to show any mercy to Real Madrid, whose controversial RMTV videos against the referees led to scenes in the build-up to the cup final, in which match official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea cried as he recalled his son being bullied as a result of the content of these videos. Plus, after Kylian Mbappe was seen as getting away with a leg-breaking tackle, Rudiger could get hit with the hammer by LaLiga.