Mateu Lahoz weighs in on controversial penalty call during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona
Retired Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz has offered his take on a contentious moment from Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in Sunday’s El Clásico.
Late in the game, Ronald Araujo, pushed forward as an emergency striker, went down inside the box after a shoulder challenge from Dani Carvajal while attempting to meet a cross. Barcelona players immediately appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on — a decision that quickly ignited debate among fans and pundits.
Lahoz later shared his perspective on the incident:
“The only reason Carvajal’s contact with Araujo wasn’t given as a penalty is because it was a Clásico. In any regular match, that would have been called.”
His comments suggest that the magnitude of Spain’s biggest fixture may influence officials’ decision-making, with referees potentially more hesitant to award decisive penalties in high-stakes encounters.
Video replays appeared to show clear contact between Carvajal and Araujo, leading the Uruguayan defender to lose balance. While opinions remain divided on whether the incident warranted a spot kick, Lahoz’s remarks have reignited the debate over officiating consistency in La Liga’s most high-profile matches.
Valverde shines through illness in derby triumph
Fede Valverde produced a commanding performance for Real Madrid in their 2-1 Clásico win on October 26, 2025 — despite reportedly suffering from gastroenteritis.
Deployed at right-back, the Uruguayan successfully neutralized most of Barcelona’s attacks down his side and played a crucial role in securing the victory.
According to DAZN journalist Sergio Quirante, Valverde battled stomach issues in the buildup to the game but still managed to play over an hour.
Wearing the captain’s armband, he led by example as Los Blancos extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points, capping off a hard-fought derby win at the Santiago Bernabéu
