Real Madrid fought back to secure a 3-2 win at home against last-place Almeria on Sunday, with Dani Carvajal scoring a spectacular winner in the final seconds of stoppage time. The match was heavily defined by VAR interventions and high tension. Currently, Madrid sits in second place with 51 points, while the season's surprise team, Girona, leads the standings with 52. Girona further extended their dominance later that night by defeating Sevilla 5-1, although Madrid still possesses an extra game to potentially reclaim the top spot. Sevilla remains in a precarious 17th position with 16 points, just one point above the drop zone.
A superb strike from Dani Carvajal in the ninth minute of stoppage time salvaged Real Madrid, giving them a 3-2 comeback win at home against bottom-placed Almeria on Sunday in a tense La Liga clash marred by VAR controversy. With a sensational win, Madrid stands second on the table with 51 points. Surprise package Girona sits at the top with 52 points under their belt. A few hours later on Sunday night, Girona thrashed Sevilla 5-1 to reclaim the top spot in La Liga. But Madrid still has one game in hand to earn the top spot. Sevilla remains 17th with 16 points, one clear of the relegation zone.
Entering the match without a single win in 21 games, Almeria stunned Madrid by taking a two-goal lead early, courtesy of Largie Ramazani's opening-minute strike and a superb volley from Edgar González. Madrid's first-half performance was nonexistent, ending without a shot on goal. Manager Carlo Ancelotti was so dissatisfied that he didn't even join his players in the locker room during the interval, choosing instead to make three key tactical changes to revitalize the team for the second half.
As Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham ramped up the offense, Madrid narrowed the gap in the 56th minute when Bellingham converted a penalty. The decision followed a long VAR check regarding a debatable handball. Shortly after, Almeria thought they had scored on a Sergio Arribas counter-attack, but VAR intervened again. Referee Francisco Maeso overturned the goal after determining that Dion Lopy had fouled Bellingham in the face during the buildup while trying to regain his balance.
The VAR drama continued five minutes later when Maeso initially disallowed a Vinicius Jr. equalizer for handball, only to reverse the call after seeing the ball hit the player's shoulder. This sparked outrage from Almeria's squad and coach Asier Garitano. Bellingham also saw one of his goals scrapped due to a controversial offside call, and he nearly scored a stunning acrobatic scissor kick that narrowly missed the target during Madrid's final onslaught.
Deep into stoppage time—specifically the 9th minute—and following a red card for the protesting manager Garitano, Jude Bellingham provided the decisive assist. He navigated a crowded penalty area to cross the ball to Carvajal, who slotted it home at the far post for the win. Real Madrid's next fixture is against Las Palmas on Saturday, January 27.