Real Madrid furious with referee Ortiz Arias after 1-2 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid suffered a frustrating 1-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on September 20, 2026, at the Metropolitano Stadium. The match was overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions made by Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias. Real Madrid played with ten men after Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half. Atletico took advantage through goals from Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David, while Antonio Ruediger pulled one back in the 89th minute. Real Madrid officially protested two incidents: Cristian Romero stepping on Jude Bellingham's knee and Lee Kang-in treading on Federico Valverde's left ankle. The club claimed both should have been red cards. Jose Mourinho appeared at the press conference holding two photos of the incidents, saying: "The history of the match is here." He also criticized the referee's lack of international experience, saying the 41-year-old could not handle the pressure. The defeat raises questions about VAR, refereeing standards in La Liga, and Real Madrid's ability to cope with adversity. The result could have significant implications for the title race, and the controversy is unlikely to fade quickly.