aberdeen vs motherwell: Holders march on after chaotic tie with three red cards
Aberdeen advanced to the Scottish Cup quarter-finals after a dramatic victory over Motherwell at Pittodrie that produced three red cards, two goals from established leaders and sharp criticism of VAR. The match, which will see the holders travel to Dunfermline Athletic next, left both dressing rooms digesting contentious decisions and their consequences for domestic refereeing.
Match chaos: red cards, set-piece strike and Dons' resilience
The game exploded into controversy early and never fully settled. Kevin Nisbet handed Aberdeen the lead from a low, deflected free-kick after Motherwell were reduced to ten in the third minute when Oscar Priestman slid in and brought down Lyall Cameron. Graeme Shinnie, back from suspension, added a second to seal the result and provide a steadying presence for the holders.
Motherwell fought back, but were hit again when Liam Gordon was dismissed in the second half, leaving them with just nine players on the pitch by the final whistle. Aberdeen themselves were briefly brought down to ten men when Dennis Geiger received a straight red after a VAR review upgraded an on-field yellow for a high challenge. The numerical rollercoaster left both teams scrambling for structure, but the Dons ultimately managed the game better and moved through to the last eight.
Managers and captains emphasised the physical and tactical swings that followed each dismissal. Aberdeen showed grit to protect their lead under intense periods of pressure, while Motherwell's players and travelling fans felt aggrieved at key interventions that shaped the contest.
VAR under fire and formal complaint lodged
VAR's role in the match became the dominant talking point. Scotland international John McGinn described the VAR system north of the border as "a mess, " a blunt assessment that echoed the frustration in the stands and among pundits. The decision to upgrade Dennis Geiger's yellow card to a red after review was particularly contentious and shifted momentum back to Motherwell at an important juncture.
Motherwell reacted formally after the game, contacting the head of refereeing, Willie Collum, to register concerns about the two dismissals that left them down to nine players. Club officials are seeking clarity on both the on-field calls and the post-match handling of the incidents. The complaint underlines growing unease among clubs about intervention thresholds and consistency when VAR is used in critical moments.
Wider picture: squad news and managerial updates
Beyond Pittodrie, there were several squad and managerial developments across the Scottish game. One top-flight coach urged a midfielder to "knuckle down" after discussions about attitude, while insisting the player did not have an attitude problem—signalling a desire for focus rather than public censure. In other team news, a club received encouraging injury feedback on a defender, though a winger is doubtful for an upcoming fixture against his former side.
The weekend fixtures will now be viewed through the lens of the Pittodrie drama, with officials, managers and supporters all likely to press for clearer guidance on VAR interventions. Aberdeen, meanwhile, can concentrate on defending their cup crown as they prepare for a quarter-final trip, while Motherwell must regroup and address both the disciplinary fallout and on-field fundamentals that contributed to an evening of heated controversy.
