Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on Friday at La Cartuja was overshadowed by refereeing controversy, with Spanish official Hernández Hernández receiving a damning assessment from football analysis platform Archivo VAR. The referee's performance deteriorated as the match progressed, losing control during heated exchanges between both teams in the closing stages.
Key Refereeing Decisions Under Scrutiny
Hernández Hernández faced criticism for inconsistent card management throughout the La Liga encounter. Arda Güler was shown a harsh yellow card before half-time, yet the same player avoided a second yellow for a subsequent foul that Archivo VAR deemed worthy of dismissal. This inconsistency reflected broader issues with how the referee handled fouls and disciplinary decisions across the ninety minutes.
The most contentious moment came late in the match when Hernández Hernández awarded Real Madrid a penalty following contact involving Vinicius Junior. Archivo VAR's analysis concluded the contact lacked the force suggested by the Brazilian's reaction, with the ball already out of play when he went to ground. The incident exemplified how theatrical appeals can influence refereeing judgments at the highest level of Spanish football.
VAR Complications and Encroachment Issues
Additional controversy surrounded Betis defender Bartra's encroachment during the penalty kick itself. While replays suggested he may have stepped into the penalty area illegally, no conclusive evidence proved a clear violation before the shot was taken. Had the infringement been confirmed, the penalty should have been retaken—a procedural gap that compounded the controversy.
Archivo VAR rated Hernández Hernández's performance at just 4.75 out of 10, evaluating his consistency in managing fouls, standardizing card criteria, match control, and decision-making personality. The platform's analysis incorporated decisive situations including penalties, red card decisions, disallowed goals, and missed tactical fouls. Real Madrid's next fixture will test whether stronger officiating can restore confidence in La Liga's match management standards.
