In a detailed arbitration analysis, Spanish network Archivo Var has assessed the officiating performance during the high-stakes Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, a match that concluded with FC Barcelona suffering a 0-4 defeat against Atlético Madrid. The encounter, held on Thursday evening at the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium, was marred by a series of contentious refereeing decisions, placing significant pressure on the match official.
The report confirms that referee Martínez Munuera correctly disallowed a goal scored by Pau Cubarsí, a decision that sparked considerable controversy following a malfunction of the semi-automated offside technology. The review process for this particular offside call was protracted, lasting approximately seven minutes due to the technical failure. However, the analysis also highlights a significant oversight, noting that Giuliano Simeone escaped a deserved red card for a challenge that warranted direct dismissal, receiving only a yellow instead.
Throughout the match, officials were confronted with six debatable incidents of varying severity. Of these, only two prompted intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), despite three situations being deemed suitable for video review. This discrepancy contributed to the contentious atmosphere surrounding the game’s disciplinary management.
Scrutinizing the Key Incidents
Munueра’s performance was scrutinized across multiple phases of play, revealing a mixture of accurate calls and notable errors. The disallowed goal for offside, ultimately ratified as the correct decision despite the technological hiccup, stood as a pivotal moment. Conversely, the failure to send off Simeone represented a clear mistake in the application of the rules, as the challenge met the criteria for serious foul play.
The match’s concluding stages saw a correct application of VAR, which led to a rightful red card being issued. This decision provided a stark contrast to earlier incidents where the technology’s potential was not fully utilized. The overall picture painted by the specialist report is one of a challenging night for officiating, where procedural delays, technological failures, and inconsistent disciplinary measures converged, inevitably influencing the narrative of a crucial cup tie.