Real Madrid vs Almeria: Controversial calls help Los Blancos comeback against Almeria

Real Madrid vs Almeria: Controversial calls help Los Blancos comeback against Almeria

Faruq Ibrahim 18:35 - 21.01.2024

Real Madrid clawed back a two-goal deficit to beat Almeria 2-0 and depose Girona at the top of the log.

Real Madrid continued the tradition of victories in the form of comebacks after overturning a two-goal deficit to beat basement side Almeria.

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Los Blancos hosted a Gaizka Garitano side sitting at the bottom of the log as they looked to capitalise on Girona's slip-up against the same team and open a gap at the top of the log.

Almeria proved a tougher opposition than their league standing suggests, as they opened a 2-0 lead, but Real Madrid, aided by controversial refereeing calls and the flying Jude Bellingham, came back to claim maximum points.

How it happened 

Almeria started in inspiring fashion and got an early goal for their troubles, shocking the home crowd at the Bernabeu. 

Largie Ramazani was played through on goal by Lucas Robertone, and the 22-year-old forward made no mistake, finishing past Kepa.  

The goal sparked the anticipated reaction from the hosts, and Real Madrid, roused, peppered Almeria’s goal, but to no avail. 

It was the visitors who got the second goal of the game when Edgar's stunner caught Kepa in no man's land, as the Andalusian side went into the break with a two-goal lead.  

Los Blancos overturned the scoreline in the second-half, however, starting with a goal from the penalty spot for Jude Bellingham after the referee controversially pointed to the spot. 

Sergio Arribas thought he had banished thoughts of a comeback when he beat Kepa in the 63rd minute, but following a VAR review, the goal was called back for a foul in the buildup. 

The most controversial action of the game came in the 67th minute when Vinicius visibly flicked the ball into the back of the net with his arm. Following a VAR review, however, the attempt was deemed legal, and Los Merengues restored parity. 

Real Madrid were not satisfied with a point, and their late flurry bore fruit as Dani Carvajal came up with the goods at clutch time once more, scoring in the ninth minute of injury time to ensure the points stayed at Madrid. 

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