Real Madrid started the 2026-27 LaLiga season with its second match, facing Espanyol at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona. The game ended 1-2 in favor of the white shirts, with the decisive goal scored by Espí in the 90th minute. Vinicius was a protagonist of the match, staging several incidents with the opponents and the crowd.
With LaLiga back, Real Madrid TV returned to publishing referee videos. In the video, referee Sánchez Martínez and VAR Figueroa Vázquez are criticized for not sanctioning Cala for kicking Vinicius in the 3rd minute. The video states that "Sánchez Martínez did not show the yellow card", and that the decision was the first major decision of the Murcian official, accompanied by Figueroa Vázquez in the VAR. It is criticized that the referee body was very permissive with Espanyol's fouls, especially those received by Vinicius.
The video defends Vinicius and argues that he suffered numerous fouls to remove him from the game, that "once again ended without a yellow card". It compares Cala’s action with Vinicius’s and Lamine Yamal’s match against Elche, where "the Lamine team, at the slightest, yellow card".
Real Madrid TV demanded a red card for Cala for kicking Carreras, which for the white channel was the second yellow card for the Espanyol player, as they consider that Vinicius’s yellow was also his. In both plays, the video insists that the Espanyol referee did not see a yellow.
The match was broadcast through several channels depending on the region: DSports across Latin America, ESPN in the United States, Movistar LaLiga and DAZN in Spain, Sky Sports in Mexico, and the streaming platform DGO in Latin America. It is warned that Fútbol Libre TV is a pirate signal and is not recommended for watching the match.
The video from Real Madrid TV was posted shortly after the match, which was played on Saturday 22 August 2026. The channel highlights the importance of reviewing referee decisions and the need to appropriately sanction players who commit serious fouls.
The debate over the referee and VAR performance continues, with Real Madrid seeking corrective measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in future matches.
