The 2025 Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid became a clash full of refereeing controversies, marking a milestone in Spanish football. Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, the match referee, found himself at the center of the most difficult decisions of his career. At a crucial moment, he awarded a penalty in favor of Barcelona in stoppage time after a move between Asencio and Raphinha. However, the replays did not show clear contact, which led to the VAR intervening. After reviewing the recordings, Bengoetxea decided to overturn the penalty, keeping the draw and sending the match to extra time.
Previously, the match had already been the scene of disputes, when Barcelona players appealed for a possible penalty by Rüdiger on Ferran Torres, with the VAR not deeming it necessary to review the play. These decisions generated a tense atmosphere in the stadium, with both fan bases expressing their discontent. The controversy over the use of VAR and refereeing decisions promises to be a topic of discussion in the coming days, raising questions about the effectiveness and the criteria used in applying technology in football.
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