This is what Mbappé’s leg looked like after Tah’s challenge

Jonathan Tah and Kylian Mbappé were at the center of one of the most physical moments of Real Madrid’s 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich.

The German center back tried to stop the French forward from advancing down the right side of Madrid’s attack and applied a forceful challenge in the process.

While the initial movement appeared aimed at using his upper body to disrupt Mbappé’s run, Tah’s right boot then raked down the striker’s right leg during the sequence.

Visible damage to Mbappé’s kit

The impact was significant enough to tear both Mbappé’s sock and the stocking underneath, leaving a clear opening in his kit.

Through the ripped fabric, it was possible to see that the challenge left the Real Madrid forward with minor cuts on his leg.

The foul resulted in a yellow card for Tah, though the severity of the contact quickly became a talking point after replays circulated.

Why Tah wasn’t sent off for Mbappé challenge

Former LaLiga referee Eduardo Iturralde González, now an officiating analyst for Diario AS and Cadena SER, broke down Michael Oliver’s decision on air.

He said the English referee opted for the “minimum sanction,” explaining why Tah was shown a yellow card instead of being sent off.

“The center back avoids the red card because he does not leave his leg in,” Iturralde said. “He just scrapes down from top to bottom.”

The incident has since fueled debate over whether the challenge warranted stronger punishment in such a high-stakes European knockout match.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.