Real Madrid vs Almeria: 3 controversial incidents causing anger among LaLaLiga coaches

LaLiga coaches including Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez have been up in arms after Real Madrid's controversial 3-2 win over Almeria

The match between Real Madrid and Almeria included several controversial incidents that have sparked discussions and debates among La Liga coaches and fans. Here's a breakdown of the three key incidents:

Vinicius Handball Incident

The game saw Real Madrid stage a dramatic comeback from a 0-2 deficit at halftime. A significant point of contention was a goal by Vinícius Jr., which initially was disallowed by the referee due to a handball.

However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and the goal was allowed, considering it to be off the shoulder instead of the arm. This decision led to significant debate, with Vinícius himself responding to the controversy on social media by sharing a video of the play and commenting on it​​. Additionally, there were claims that the referee, Francisco José Hernández Maeso, was shown the wrong images for Vinícius’ goal during the VAR review, leading to questions about the accuracy of the decision-making process​​.

Bellingham Penalty

Alongside the handball incident, the match was further mired in controversy due to a penalty given against Almeria's defender Kaiky Fernandes.

This decision, along with the disallowing of Sergio Arribas’ goal for a foul by Dion Lopy on Jude Bellingham, contributed to the contention surrounding the referee's and VAR's decisions in this match​​.

Vinicius Elbow Incident

Another controversy involved Vinícius Jr. in an incident where he allegedly used his elbow against Almeria's player Alex Pozo.

This incident, which took place in the 86th minute of the match, could have significantly impacted the game if it had been seen by the referee or considered as aggression by VAR, potentially leading to Vinícius being sent off​​.

Each of these incidents contributed to the overall debate and anger among La Liga coaches and fans, highlighting the ongoing challenges and discussions around the implementation and effectiveness of VAR in football.

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