COMO, Italy – Feb 28, 2026: Jesus Rodriguez celebrates his second Serie A goal with a teammate at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium (photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images).
The 20‑year‑old drew a storm of criticism after receiving a reckless red card in the final minutes of Spain’s U21 Euro qualifier, even though his side led 12‑0.
Jesus Rodriguez ejected for 95th‑minute slap in 13‑0 win.
Rodriguez, Como’s record signing from Real Betis in January 2025, entered the match as a second‑half substitute as Spain’s U21s thrashed San Marino 13‑0.
Teammate Jacobo Ramón started the game and headed the third goal for Spain just after the half‑hour mark.
A centre‑back with plenty of goals.
Jacobo Ramón scores again for the U21s!
🇸🇲 0‑3 🇪🇸 | 32′
📺 @teledeporte #U21EURO | #NuestraBase
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 1, 2026
Rodriguez later set up Mario Martin for Spain’s 12th goal in the 85th minute.
Ten minutes later he was sent off for slapping San Marino’s Bartolomeo Riggioni after a minor clash near the post before a corner.
Fans slammed the incident on social media, questioning the need for a dismissal with a 12‑goal cushion. The concern here is the lack of discipline from a rising star.
He will miss Spain’s final qualifier against Romania, who sit third in Group A, while Spain leads with 24 points from nine games but hasn’t secured tournament qualification yet.
Watch: Highlights of Spain U21s’ 13‑0 demolition of San Marino. Will Spain’s U21s keep this momentum into the Romania clash?
📹 RESUME | #U21EURO
🇸🇲 0‑13 🇪🇸
Match report: https://t.co/Q4aoTCjYYE #NuestraBase
— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 2, 2026