Following one of the more controversial outings in the campaign, Real Madrid found themselves in the midst of heated discussions after overcoming bottom-of-the-table Almería at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The evening took an unexpected turn as the visitors secured a surprising two-goal advantage before halftime. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s team executed a remarkable comeback, with Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Jr, and Dani Carvajal all contributing goals.
Real Madrid’s resurgence, though, was not without its fair share of contentious moments. The controversy began with Los Blancos being awarded a penalty that many considered soft. Subsequently,
Almería had their third goal of the night harshly overturned by VAR. The drama continued with Vinícius Jr’s initially disallowed goal being given despite a clear handball. This set the stage for an extended 11 minutes of injury time, with Carvajal ultimately securing a dramatic winner in the 9th minute of injury time.
The conclusion of the match at the Santiago Bernabéu led to widespread dismay among fans, pundits, and neutrals alike. The contentious decisions and the overall atmosphere of the match fueled the criticism. Notably, a member of the defeated Almería squad, Marc Pubill, did not mince words when asked about the events on Sunday night.
Pubill, a defender for Rojiblancos, expressed his views candidly, suggesting that some form of corruption may have influenced the outcome: “I think that someone decided that we weren’t allowed to win here at the Bernabéu. And that’s what happened. Nothing more to say,” he told DAZN, as cited by Fabrizio Romano.
The player’s bold statement implies a suspicion of external interference impacting the match’s outcome, raising questions about the fairness and integrity of the sport.
Such allegations, especially coming from a directly involved player, contribute to the ongoing debate around the use of VAR, refereeing decisions, and the potential influence on match results. The controversy surrounding this particular clash at the Santiago Bernabéu adds another layer to the broader discussions on fairness and transparency in football.
🚨 Almería defender Marc Pubill: “I think that someone decided that we weren’t allowed to win here at Bernabéu today, and that’s what happened”.
“Nothing more to say”, told DAZN. pic.twitter.com/WIP9DOjIjX
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 21, 2024
