SHAMEFUL: Gil Manzano spared Camavinga's red card in the 1st half

FC Barcelona crushed Real Madrid in the Supercopa de España final despite the usual 'assistance' from Jesús Gil Manzano to the 'White House'. The Extremaduran referee refused to send off Eduardo Camavinga on two occasions during a dominant first half by Barça. The Catalans controlled the match from start to finish, overturning Kylian Mbappé's initial goal with four goals before halftime that exposed the entire 'merengue' defense.

Victim of his usual clumsiness in marking, the '6' committed a childish penalty on Gavi in the 34th minute. The Barça midfielder anticipated a loose ball in the area, and the Frenchman, knowing he would never reach a high ball, extended his left leg, directly impacting the thigh of the Andalusian player. Although Gil Manzano was well positioned, he overlooked the play, and had it not been for VAR, the foul would not have even been called.

After reviewing the monitor, the referee had no choice but to call the penalty and book Camavinga, although it was an action that warranted a direct red card, as it was a direct stamp on Gavi's thigh, with no intention of playing the ball. To complete the shame, the main referee spared the French international again in the 45th minute after a clear grab on Lamine Yamal, preventing a counterattack from Barça. The action was a second yellow for the player from Cabinda, but Gil Manzano only called the foul.

Ancelotti did not hesitate to take Camavinga off at halftime

After the break, Carlo Ancelotti, knowing that the Frenchman was on thin ice, replaced him with Dani Ceballos. The Italian coach's plan failed spectacularly, with a Camavinga who, although he started very focused on marking, close to the center-backs to help with recovery and build-up, ended up being outplayed alongside Fede Valverde by Gavi and Pedri, as well as a reliable Marc Casadó as a pivot.