Bellingham sees red, but Real Madrid stays top after Atletico draw

PAMPLONA, Spain — Real Madrid dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday, a match that saw Jude Bellingham sent off. Madrid, however, remained top of La Liga after Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo.

The Spanish champion took the lead through Kylian Mbappe, before the referee red-carded Bellingham for dissent towards the end of the first half.

Ante Budimir leveled for host Osasuna from the penalty spot after 58 minutes, as Carlo Ancelotti's side endured a third consecutive league match without victory.

Atletico Madrid, which also played with 10 men after Pablo Barrios was dismissed in just the seventh minute, was unable to capitalize and remains a point behind Los Blancos.

Bellingham insisted he was expressing his frustration and not insulting the referee.

"I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression to myself," he told reporters.

"I'm not even directing myself towards the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He's believed that I've said (something insulting) to him.

"There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult."

Real Madrid coach Ancelotti said he was happy with how his team played, despite dropping points. "In a footballing sense we started very well, and we finished well despite having one less player," said Ancelotti.

The Italian made a few rotations with the midweek Champions League playoff second leg clash against Manchester City in mind, resting Rodrygo and giving Brahim Diaz a rare start.

Los Blancos controlled the game from the off, moving the ball around too quickly for Osasuna to get a foothold.

Madrid did not have to wait long for its opener, with Mbappe firing home from Fede Valverde's cross, his seventh goal in his last five La Liga matches.

'Referee was nervous'

The game changed when Bellingham was dismissed in the 39th minute. The England international exchanged words with referee Jose Munuera Montero, who then reached for his red card.

Ancelotti said Bellingham should not have been dismissed.

"I think with Bellingham's red card (the referee) didn't understand the English well. I don't think it's something offensive," Ancelotti told reporters.

"I think the red card came out because the referee was nervous. Bellingham did nothing today to have been sent off, absolutely nothing."

Madrid has complained heavily about Spanish refereeing in recent weeks, labeling it "rigged", and it grew further frustrated with Munuera Montero in the second half.

Osasuna leveled before the hour mark through Budimir from the spot, following a late challenge from Eduardo Camavinga on the Croatian striker.

Budimir's penalty was his 13th goal of the season, putting him behind only Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski and Mbappe, on 17, in the standings.

Mbappe had one last chance in stoppage time, but Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera palmed away his effort with a strong hand.

Manchester City will hope that playing for nearly an hour with 10 men takes a toll on Madrid on Wednesday, when the sides meet at the Santiago Bernabeu.

'Gladiators'

Atletico's draw with Celta was heavily influenced by Barrios' seventh minute red card for a reckless high tackle on Pablo Duran.

Iago Aspas fired Celta ahead in the second half from the penalty spot, but Atletico target man Alexander Sorloth rescued a point for the Rojiblancos.

"The team had gladiators again, playing 90 minutes with one fewer player is very tough," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone, who did not disagree with the decision to dismiss Barrios. "It was a red card, it was clear," he added.

Atletico dug deep in the first half and frustrated Celta, which had more of the ball, before biting back to level after Aspas' penalty.

"When we were left with 10 men it's very difficult. The team tried everything," Atletico midfielder Koke told DAZN.

"We defended well, we suffered when we had to. Obviously we're still in the fight for the title."

AFP