Soccer-Real Madrid recover to beat Almeria 3-2 after VAR controversy

Soccer Football – LaLiga – Real Madrid v Almeria – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – January 21, 2024 Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in action REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

By Fernando Kallas

MADRID (Reuters) – A Dani Carvajal strike in the ninth-minute of stoppage time rescued Real Madrid, earning them a 3-2 comeback win at home against bottom side Almeria on Sunday in a frantic LaLiga tussle that was marked by VAR controversy.

Soccer Football – LaLiga – Real Madrid v Almeria – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – January 21, 2024 Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior scores their second goal REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

Lowly Almeria, who remained winless after 21 LaLiga matches this season, grabbed a two-goal lead with goals from Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez in the first half.

But Real Madrid reduced the deficit in the 56th minute with a Jude Bellingham penalty awarded for handball after a lengthy VAR check.

Almeria had a Sergio Arribas effort ruled out a little later after another long VAR check, with the referee Francisco Maeso ruling there was an infringement in the build-up when Almeria midfielder Dion Lopy caught Bellingham in the face.

Soccer Football – LaLiga – Real Madrid v Almeria – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – January 21, 2024 Real Madrid’s Fran Garcia in action REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

Five minutes later, Maeso first ruled out Real Madrid’s equaliser for a Vinicius Jr handball before awarding the goal after deciding it was off the shoulder following another VAR review.

Soccer Football – LaLiga – Real Madrid v Almeria – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – January 21, 2024 Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Isabel Infantes

Nine minutes into added time, as Real made a late push, Bellingham lifted a cross to Carvajal who tapped in the winner at the far post.

Real climbed to the top of the LaLiga standings on 51 points, two ahead Girona who host Sevilla later on Sunday.

(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football – LaLiga – Real Madrid v Almeria – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – January 21, 2024 Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their first goal with Federico Valverde REUTERS/Isabel Infantes