A discussion among referees on social media has emerged regarding the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Almeria, which concluded with a 3-2 victory for Real Madrid. The triumph of Los Blancos was marked by several contentious decisions. After the visitors secured a 2-0 lead in the first half, the home team turned the tide in the second half, with Carvajal scoring Real’s third goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
The first debatable decision against the visitors occurred in the 53rd minute when a penalty was awarded to the home team. Almeria’s defender, Kaiky, handled the ball in his own penalty area, but Joselu disrupted him, and there was also a potential foul by Antonio Rudiger on Edgar in Almeria’s box.
Referee Francisco José Hernández Maeso from Extremadura initially refrained from making a decision, but VAR referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández from the Canary Islands contacted him, and their subsequent conversation was disclosed.
Hernandez: Fran, I suggest reviewing the on-field situation to evaluate the potential handball offense by the Almeria defender. I’ve positioned you high to observe the players’ separation.
Maeso: Perfect. The Madrid player completes and hits the separated arm, and the Almeria defender occupies the space. I will award a penalty without issuing a card.
Potential fouls by Real’s players Joselu and Rudiger are not mentioned. Another incident occurred nine minutes later when the guests scored their third goal through Arribas for a 3-1 lead.
However, VAR intervened again, and after reviewing the footage, the main referee annulled the goal, showing a yellow card to Almeria’s Lopy for an earlier incident involving Bellingham.
Hernandez: Fran, come see this situation due to a possible foul at the beginning of the action. Okay? I’ll show you the contact point. It’s within the same attacking phase. The game continues and concludes with a goal.
Maeso: I will award a foul for Real, cancel the goal, and show a yellow card to Almeria’s player number six.
A few minutes later, another controversial situation arose on the field, and the video did not clearly show whether Vinicius used his hand or shoulder for the equalizing goal.
The referee initially disallowed the goal, but after consulting with VAR, he changed his decision and allowed Vinicius’ goal.
Hernandez: Here, here, that’s it. Give me the reverse on the right. Stop at the contact point. I recommend reviewing the on-field situation to assess it.
Maeso: Perfect.
Hernandez: He strikes him in the right shoulder. Fran, I’ll show you, okay? We’ll go super slow. He hits him in the shoulder.
Maeso: Give me the contact point.
Hernandez: Here you go.
Maeso: Goal. No foul.
Hernandez: That’s it.
Maeso: Perfect. He strikes the ball with his shoulder, and it’s a valid goal. No foul. I will signal the goal.
