Álvaro Serrano was gored by the third novillo at about 18:30 during a pecho pass at Las Ventas in Madrid. The 20-centimetre wound ended his solo appearance, and both sobresalientes later entered the action, raising a question about the rules.
The animal, from Conde de Mayalde, had already made direct, dangerous entries during the muleta faena. Its horn struck the inner part of Serrano's right thigh. The wound ran through an ascending channel, damaging the adductor and biceps femoris muscles. Serrano was taken to the bullring's infirmary and could not continue.
The first reports described a knee injury, but the later medical report placed the wound in the right thigh. Libertad Digital reported that a team led by Dr Máximo García Padrós operated on Serrano at the infirmary and stabilised him under general anaesthesia. He was then transferred to La Fraternidad-Muprespa Habana.
The preliminary report recorded a severe contusion of the femoral artery. El Debate described the damage as predominantly muscular and said no major vessel had been affected. Telemadrid also confirmed the operation and Serrano's inability to continue the fight.
After Serrano's evacuation, Héctor Roberto completed the lidia and killed the third novillo. Roberto and Aitor Fernández then shared the rest of the programme. Both sobresalientes entered the action.
That outcome differs from the regulation cited in the report: the first sobresaliente should take the four remaining novillos, while the second stays on standby. Independent reports confirm what happened in the ring, but offer no separate official explanation from Madrid's administration or the regulator on whether the arrangement was lawful.
Serrano had been announced as the sole espada for the fifth event of the Feria de Otoño. The programme included animals from Domingo Hernández and Fuente Ymbro. It also named Conde de Mayalde and Luis González Conde, followed by Montealto and Julio de la Puerta.
Preliminary materials had referred to Torrehandilla rather than Luis González Conde. The discrepancy still needs to be checked against the official Las Ventas programme. After Serrano was injured, the afternoon depended on performers listed as reserves.
Before the accident, Serrano had received an ovation after a request for an ear during his first appearance. His second performance ended in silence. The young bullfighter from Navas del Rey in Madrid will turn 23 in eight days.
The injury came as Madrid's news agenda had recently included a housing vigil after Maricarmen Abascal died following her eviction. At Las Ventas, the immediate issue was operational: one cornada changed the programme and brought the second reserve off standby.
Serrano had taken the risk after a heavy fall at a bullfight in Murcia. In an interview before the Las Ventas challenge, he said he was already considering taking the alternative as the next stage of his career.
