A superb strike from Dani Carvajal in the ninth minute of stoppage time salvaged Real Madrid, giving them a 3-2 comeback win at home against bottom-placed Almeria on Sunday in a tense La Liga clash marred by VAR controversy. With a sensational win, Madrid stands second on the table with 51 points. Surprise package Girona sits at the top with 52 points under their belt. A few hours later on Sunday night, Girona thrashed Sevilla 5-1 to reclaim the top spot in La Liga. But Madrid still has one game in hand to earn the top spot. Sevilla remains 17th with 16 points, one clear of the relegation zone.
Almeria, which was winless after 21 La Liga games this season, took a two-goal lead with a quick strike from Largie Ramazani in the first minute and a beautiful volley from distance by Edgar González in a miserable first half for Madrid, which had no shots on goal. Carlo Ancelotti, an unhappy Real manager, did not return to the changing room with his players during the break and instead made three changes to open the second half, giving his team a boost.
With Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham putting pressure, Madrid cut the lead in the 56th minute with a Bellingham penalty awarded for a questionable handball following a lengthy VAR review. However, Almeria had a Sergio Arribas counter-attack attempt called out a little later following another lengthy VAR review. Referee Francisco Maeso concluded there was an infraction in the buildup when Almeria midfielder Dion Lopy was severely assessed to have fouled Bellingham after catching him in the face while attempting to regain his equilibrium.
Five minutes later, Maeso ruled out Madrid’s equalizer for a Vinicius Jr. handball before allowing the goal after another VAR review determined it was off the shoulder. The decision infuriated Almeria’s players and manager, Asier Garitano. Bellingham also had a goal disallowed for a contentious offside in the buildup, and he nearly scored again a few minutes later with an acrobatic scissor kick that went just wide of Almeria’s goal as Madrid made a late push.
Nine minutes into extra time, following a few close calls and a red card for manager Garitano for complaining to the referee, Bellingham performed his magic inside a crowded box, lifting a cross to Carvajal, who tapped in the winner at the far post. Madrid will face Las Palmas on January 27, Saturday.
