Madrid's comeback victory against Almeria was far from a stroll in the Bernabéu park. Real Madrid vs Almeria delivered a heart-stopping spectacle, packed with goals, VAR drama, and a last-gasp winner that kept the LaLiga title race wide open.
From Almeria's early shock to Real Madrid's second-half fightback, this Real Madrid vs Almeria clash had it all. The visitors stunned the Bernabéu faithful with a dream start, Largie Ramazani scoring inside the first minute, followed by Edgar Gonzalez's stunning volley.
But Real Madrid vs Almeria wouldn't be remembered for just the goals. VAR took center stage, sparking controversy throughout the match. A 56th-minute penalty for Real Madrid, awarded after a debatable handball and lengthy VAR review, put the hosts back in the game. Almeria's hopes for a fairytale equalizer were dashed when Sergio Arribas' goal was ruled out for a marginal offside, again following a lengthy VAR intervention.
The drama escalated as Real Madrid vs Almeria neared its boiling point. Vinicius Jr.'s equalizer was initially disallowed for handball before being controversially awarded after another VAR review. This decision left Almeria players and manager Asier Garitano fuming, accusing the officials of "robbing" them.
Yet, Real Madrid vs Almeria's script had one final twist. With the clock ticking down and frustration mounting, Jude Bellingham's cross found Dani Carvajal unmarked at the far post, who tapped in the winning goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The victory leaves Real Madrid vs Almeria with mixed emotions. Real Madrid climb to the top of LaLiga, though questions linger about the role of VAR. Almeria, meanwhile, remain winless after 21 games, but will feel aggrieved by the refereeing decisions.
As Gonzalo Melero, Almeria midfielder, lamented, "We were robbed today... Nothing more could have been done for them to win the game." However, Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal offered a different perspective, stating, "If Melero watches the plays calmly, he will surely realise that they are correctly refereed."
One thing is certain: Real Madrid vs Almeria will be remembered as a dramatic chapter in the 2023-24 LaLiga season, a game where VAR stole the spotlight and a last-gasp winner kept the title race on a knife-edge.
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img via: Reuters