Real Madrid defeats Marseille thanks to a controversial penalty: Carragher outraged.

Jamie Carragher's outrage over Real's penalty

According to The Sun: Jamie Carragher could not contain his outrage over the referee's decision to award a late penalty, which allowed Real to defeat Marseille in a match that took place on Tuesday evening.

The former Liverpool defender called the decision for the second penalty for Javi Alonso's team one of the worst he's ever seen.

Kylian Mbappe converted the penalty in the 82nd minute, which proved decisive for the team in their dramatic comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Carragher expressed anger over referee Irfan Pelito's decision, which awarded the penalty after the ball hit Facundo Medina's hand in the Marseille penalty area.

On CBS he stated:

“You are trying to hold it, making a great tackle against one of the best players in the world, and the ball deflects and hits your hand. I truly think this is one of the worst I've ever seen. I'm not trying to dramatize. It's shocking defending.”

Medina received a penalty after trying to stop Vinicius Junior in close contact, and when he fell, the ball hit his hand, which was on the ground.

Carragher added:

“His hand is by his body. He can’t do anything, and as soon as the ball touches him, he tries to pull his hands away.”

The footballer emphasized that Medina's hand was not raised:

“What is he supposed to do? Where is he supposed to go?”

This shouldn't have been a match-winning penalty for Real Madrid against Marseille. Facundo Medina's arm is going to ground in support of his fall, and it's behind him. Clearly not deliberate. Alas, the VAR likely backed it because the arm moved. pic.twitter.com/VdPw2VSK2M

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) September 17, 2025

Carragher noted that Medina did nothing reckless, his hand was right where it should be.

CBS colleague, Mick Grella, who once played for Columbus Crew, characterized this situation as “a robbery”.

He added:

“This is Real Madrid in the Champions League, this happens all the time.”

Carragher emphasized that, despite it being only the group stage and there being enough matches left for the teams,

“Imagine losing the Champions League final this way. Incredible. It’s shocking.”

Marseille's coach Roberto De Zerbi also expressed his outrage, calling this penalty

“shameful”

He pointed out:

“This does not exist. I would say the same if it were awarded to us. For me, this is not a penalty, ever.”

De Zerbi explained that his team took the lead thanks to a goal from Timothy Weah in an intriguing match.

Mbappe equalized before halftime, converting a less controversial penalty after Vinicius Junior was fouled.

Real was reduced to ten men when Dani Carvajal received a straight red card after clashing heads with Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

VAR confirmed that Carvajal showed sufficient intention for a red card, however, De Zerbi disagreed.

The coach emphasized:

“In such situations, I would not give a red. This is not violence. But it’s the rule. For Real, for us, for everyone.”

VAR also reviewed the episode with Medina's hand but did not recommend the referee to review it on the field.

This situation further underscored the coach of Marseille's outrage and suggests possible bias in the referee's choices during crucial moments of the match. It remains to be seen how this will affect the subsequent results of the teams in the Champions League.