Bellingham got a straightforward yellow, but most viewers thought he already had oneCredit: Getty

However, those paying attention were expecting to see referee Isidro Diaz de Mera then pull a red out of his pocket, with many thinking he’d already been cautioned.

In the 39th minute of the match, Bellingham hauled down Jon Guridi for what appeared to be another easy booking for the referee, which was reported by commentary teams across the globe, and even appeared on screen.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham man even gave some stick to the official in English, something the cameras picked up.

Live score websites and apps informed fans of the yellow card, but in fact, it was given to a member of staff on the Real Madrid bench, as reported by LaLiga TV.

The 39th minute card then disappeared from a number of websites and apps, but fans were still baffled.

One viewer took to X and wrote: “Please tell me I’m not the only one who got the notification earlier that Bellingham earned a yellow card before this???”

Another added: “Shouldn’t that be Jude Bellingham’s second yellow card?? He got one earlier for talking back to the ref.”

While a third wrote: “Did Jude Bellingham’s first half yellow get cancelled? He got another yellow in the second half and should be sent off.”

Bellingham dominated the midfield before Vazquez’s winnerCredit: Getty

Eventually, though, Bellingham stayed on the pitch, and he needed to with Madrid already down to ten men at that point after Nacho’s nasty challenge in the 54th minute.

That allowed Ancelotti’s side to find a late winner, with Toni Kroos dipping a wonderful corner onto the head of Lucas Vazquez, who nodded home in the second minute of stoppage time.

Thanks to Girona’s earlier 1-1 draw away at Real Betis, Madrid leapfrogged the Catalans back to the top of the league, where they will spend Christmas and the New Year.