Reaction to Toni Kroos

Kroos, who substituted Luka Modric in the 66th minute, became the focus of the fans' reactions. His earlier criticism of Gabri Veiga's transfer from Celta Vigo to Al-Ahli as “shameful,” had already ignited controversy. He further aggravated local sentiment by commenting on the money-driven ambition within Saudi Arabian football. These comments were met with a tough reception from the crowd, which was on full display when Kroos slipped during a long pass, eliciting cheers from the spectators.

Respect for "der Kaiser"

Despite the tension, both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid players donned black armbands in respect for Beckenbauer, affectionately known as "der Kaiser." The cultural difference regarding public displays of mourning was cited as the reason behind the disrupted silence, with reports stating that the practice of observing a minute of silence is typically disapproved of in Saudi Arabian tradition. Real Madrid's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, appeared confused by the crowd's reaction and was seen discussing the matter with Kroos during the game.

Despite the hostilities, Kroos remained professionally unfazed throughout his play on the field and notably did not celebrate excessively when his team scored their fourth and fifth goals. The semi-final match thus concluded with a display of professionalism in the face of adversity, overshadowing the discord that punctuated the event.