Former international referee Montero believes that Lee Kang-In's tackle on Valverde warranted only a yellow card, not a red card.

In an article published that day, Montero stated that Madrid derby referee Ortiz Arias should have shown Lee Kang-In only a yellow card instead of a red card. This view contradicted Real Madrid's calls for the Atletico Madrid player to receive a red card. The Madrid derby ultimately ended with Atletico Madrid winning 2-1.

Montero also reviewed Ortiz Arias's key decisions throughout the match, noting instances where the referee made correct calls and where errors occurred. He believes that in such a tense derby with frequent clashes, the referee struggled with some card decisions and card management.

The article notes that Ortiz Arias officiated cautiously in this intense and competitive derby. The match was fiercely contested and at times very tense, with the referee making several errors in card distribution.

Ortiz Arias was actively moving throughout the pitch, working to keep up with the game and maintain control, but received little cooperation from the players.

Overall, Ortiz Arias's assessment of fouls and their severity was relatively accurate, though there were also several misjudgments. For example, he initially showed Bellingham a yellow card, which was later rescinded after VAR review.

He correctly awarded Atletico Madrid a penalty due to Huijsen's foul on Giuliano inside the box.

Ortiz Arias also repeatedly attempted to calm both coaching benches. Early in the match, Simeone was shown a yellow card for protesting a decision and gesturing to the fourth official. However, the referee was still unable to prevent the players' repeated protests.

Ortiz Arias issued several cards accurately: Powell received a yellow card for fouling Mbappé, Romero was shown a yellow card after a fierce tackle on Bellingham, and Bellingham was carded for a rough challenge on Julián Álvarez.

Ortiz Arias also awarded Atletico Madrid a penalty and sent off Huijsen after Huijsen fouled Giuliano inside the box. At that moment, Huijsen had no realistic opportunity to play the ball.

The article argues that the referee should have shown Lee Kang-in a yellow card for his tackle on Valverde and should also have booked Baena for multiple fouls, particularly a series of infractions in the first half.

VAR referee Daniel Jesús Trujillo's decision to ask Ortiz Arias to review the yellow card shown to Bellingham was correct. After review, Bellingham's yellow card was rescinded and a card was issued to Romero instead.

Trujillo then again requested that Ortiz Arias review the yellow card shown to Huijsen, and after review, this punishment was upgraded to a red card.

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