Kylian Mbappé has declined to point the finger at referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias following Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Madrid derby, even after acknowledging that the official made errors during the match.

The French forward's measured response stood out given the tension that typically surrounds derby results, particularly when officiating decisions come under scrutiny. Mbappé chose to accept the outcome rather than use the referee as a scapegoat for his side's loss.

Real Madrid fell 2-1 to their city rivals in a result that will have stung inside the Santiago Bernabéu dressing room. Derby defeats carry extra weight in the Spanish capital, and this one arrives at a moment when La Liga's title race remains fiercely competitive.

Despite his reservations about specific decisions — which he acknowledged openly — Mbappé resisted the temptation to make Ortiz Arias the story. It is a stance that speaks to a level of maturity the 2018 World Cup winner has shown in front of the cameras since arriving at the club.

Real Madrid will now look to regroup ahead of their next fixture, with the pressure of the La Liga title race ensuring there is little time to dwell on this derby setback.