England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who netted Real Madrid's late winner against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday, was sent off in the 39th minute of the match against Osasuna for using foul and abusive language towards referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.
Bellingham’s only previous red card for Real came after the final whistle in a 2-2 draw at Valencia in March 2024, when he was given a second yellow card for arguing with the referee.
Real Madrid had taken the lead at Estadio El Sadar thanks to Kylian Mbappe, who scored his 17th league goal of the season by finishing off a precise cross from Federico Valverde.
However, Osasuna equalized in the 58th minute after Eduardo Camavinga was judged to have fouled Ante Budimir in the box, and the Osasuna striker converted the penalty.
After the match, Bellingham explained that he was frustrated but did not intend to insult the referee.
"It's difficult when a referee isn't sure, to determine that I've said something that I haven't, and as a result it kind of hinders the team," he said. "I think you can see clearly in the video... I remember the incident very well, it was an expression to myself. 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, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding."
In the post-match press conference, manager Carlo Ancelotti explained, in Spanish with some English swearing, that Bellingham did use an expletive, but it was not directed at the official.
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"I think with Bellingham's red card, [the referee] didn't understand the English well. I don't think it's something offensive," Ancelotti said. "I think the red card came out because the referee was nervous. Bellingham did nothing today to have been sent off, absolutely nothing."
Despite being down to 10 men, Real Madrid continued to push for a winner. Mbappe missed a chance to find Vinicius Jr., who was unmarked in the box. Vinicius later created a chance for himself, dribbling past two defenders before his shot was cleared off the line by Alejandro Catena.
With 10 minutes to go, Vinicius also delivered a cross to the back post, but Luka Modric’s volley was off target.
Atletico Madrid, who are two points behind Real, will go top if they defeat Celta Vigo later on Saturday. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, could also leapfrog Real on goal difference if they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday night.
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