Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory against La Liga strugglers Almeria, clinching the win through a Jude Bellingham penalty and a dramatic 99th-minute header by Dani Carvajal. The match was marred by significant VAR controversies.
Almeria, still in search of their first La Liga win this season, took a surprising 2-0 lead in the first half, outclassing a sluggish Real Madrid. However, the game's dynamics shifted within twelve minutes due to three marginal VAR decisions favoring Los Blancos. Almeria's coach, Gaizka Gaitano, was later red-carded for expressing frustration to the referee about his team's misfortune.
Almeria had previously held La Liga contenders Girona to a goalless draw, but Largie Ramazani's early wonder goal and Edgar Gonzalez's strike before halftime put them in a favorable position. Despite Carvajal's header securing the win, Real Madrid now leads the table, while Girona seeks to overcome a two-point deficit against Sevilla.
As they enter a busy period in early February, facing Girona and Atletico Madrid in La Liga and returning to Champions League action, Real Madrid's hard-fought victory is seen as a positive outcome for manager Ancelotti. In contrast, Gaitano's Almeria, despite executing a smart game plan, remain winless and are now 10 points away from safety.
Almeria, far from being mere underdogs, exploited Real Madrid's vulnerabilities, particularly through the dynamic front three of Ramazani, Marezi, and Arribas. Errors by Nacho and Bellingham led to all three goals, with the latter's penalty initially disallowed. Lucas Robertone's injury-played pivotal role in setting up the opener silenced the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham, eventually named Player of the Match, epitomized Real Madrid's performance. Initially frustrated by Almeria's solid defense, Bellingham played a crucial role in the second-half turnaround, converting a penalty with composure. His involvement in ruling out Almeria's third goal showcased his impact, and his cushioned header assisted Carvajal's winning goal.
Player Ratings
Real Madrid: Kepa 6, Carvajal 7, Rudiger 4, Nacho 3, Mendy 5, Valverde 6, Tchouameni 6, Kroos 6, Bellingham 8, Rodrygo 4, Vinicius Jr 7. Subs: Camavinga 5, Joselu 7, Ceballos 6, Garcia 7, Diaz 7
Almeria: Maximiano 7, Pubill 6, Kaiky 6, Chumi 6, Akieme 8, Gonzalez 8, Arribas 7, Robertone 7, Lopy 7, Ramazani 8, Milanovic 7. Subs: Suarez 6, Embarba 6, Melero 6, Lazaro 5, Pozo 6.
0 Comments