Lee Kang-in’s historic first Madrid Derby appearance has ignited a significant debate in Spain, centering on a challenge made by the South Korean midfielder against Federico Valverde. The incident, which occurred during the match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, has led to widespread fan outcry and commentary from Spanish media, with some suggesting a red card should have been issued.
Derby Debut and Match Summary
The highly anticipated Madrid Derby clash took place on October 20th at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Atletico Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the seventh round of the 2026-2027 La Liga season. Lee Kang-in, making his debut in this prestigious fixture, played a significant role, featuring for 89 minutes. As the first South Korean player to start in a Madrid Derby, Lee was actively involved in Atletico’s attacking plays, contributing to their hard-fought win.
From the outset, Lee demonstrated his dynamism. In the 15th minute, he delivered a sharp cross that found David. Around the 30-minute mark, a powerful shot from Lee forced a reaction save from Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois. However, the most contentious moment of the match unfolded towards the end of the first half.
The Controversial Tackle
The incident occurred as Lee Kang-in attempted to dispossess Valverde in the midfield. In his effort to win the ball, Lee’s follow-through connected with Valverde’s ankle. The referee initially signaled for a foul but opted not to issue a card. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) also reviewed the play but did not intervene, allowing the game to continue without further action.
Media and Fan Reaction
Following the match, the incident became a focal point of discussion across Spanish sports media. Spanish newspaper ‘AS’ highlighted the “outburst of anger from Madridistas,” focusing on Lee’s tackle. The publication noted that despite the referee having a close view of the play, no yellow card was shown to Lee. Similarly, ‘Marca’ questioned the referee’s decision, stating, “Lee Kang-in’s controversial tackle on Valverde, no yellow card either.” The report detailed Valverde’s strong reaction to the challenge immediately after it happened, emphasizing the lack of any card being produced.
The opinions of football pundits further intensified the debate. Pablo González Fuertes, speaking on Marca’s radio program ‘Marcador,’ asserted that the challenge was “sufficiently worthy of a red card.” He explained that Lee’s foot directly impacted Valverde’s ankle, potentially affecting the joint.
Real Madrid fans also voiced their strong opinions online. On the online community platform Reddit, comments such as “I don’t understand why there was no red card” and “It was a tackle that should have resulted in expulsion” were prevalent. Some fans speculated that if Valverde had remained on the ground longer, VAR might have intervened.
Historical Context and Lee’s Performance
Interestingly, Lee Kang-in has prior experience of being sent off against Real Madrid. While playing for Valencia in June 2020, he received a direct red card for a challenge on Sergio Ramos during an away match. In that instance, Lee was substituted on and, within approximately 13 minutes, was ejected from the field and subsequently received a one-match suspension.
This time, however, Lee managed to avoid a card. He continued to be influential in the second half, contributing to Atletico’s crucial goals. In the 49th minute, Lee passed the ball from the right flank towards the center, which was then played by Daviád Cópaz to Julián Álvarez in the space behind the defense. During the ensuing duel with Dani Carvajal, Álvarez earned a penalty. Following a VAR review, Carvajal was sent off, and Alejandro Grimaldo successfully converted the penalty, giving Atletico the lead.
Lee was again directly involved in Atletico’s second goal in the 61st minute. He passed to Álvaro Morata, who then played a quick ball into the box for Daviád Cópaz to finish, extending Atletico’s lead to 2-0.
Lee Kang-in remained on the field until the 89th minute, when he was substituted. Although Atletico conceded a goal to Antonio Rüdiger just before the final whistle, they held on to secure the 2-1 victory.
Conclusion
Lee Kang-in’s first Madrid Derby start, his 89 minutes on the pitch, his involvement in the build-up to a penalty and a goal, and ultimately his team’s victory marked a significant night for the South Korean player. However, the controversy surrounding his challenge on Valverde in the first half has added a heated dimension to his memorable derby debut, leaving lingering questions about the refereeing decision.
