Poor performances, but in any case – in any case possible – finding a way to win has been a key feature of Real Madrid so far this season, and the team's most recent escape, a 3-2 home win over bottom-placed Almeria, is the most important yet.
At the end of the half, Real Madrid were 2-0 down in the second half thanks to Raj Ramazani's goal in 40 seconds and Edgar González's stunning volley, so they needed help in the second half and secured three points through the assistant referee (VAR).
First, referee Francisco Hernández Messo awarded Real Madrid a penalty for Almeria defender Keki Fernández Melo's handball attack after a VAR review, despite Real Madrid striker Joselu who seemed to climb on his back and try to touch the ball.
Jude Bellingham stepped up and took the penalty to cut Almeria's lead in half.
Then, after Bellingham fell to the ground in pain with his face covered in another VAR intervention, Hernandez Meso ruled out Almeria's seemingly legitimate goal. While the replay showed midfielder Dion Lobi raising his hand to block the English star, there was little contact and the decision to rule out the goal and sanction Lobi with a yellow card seemed harsh.
Melenger equalised shortly after, with VAR replays showing that Vinicius Jr. had bounced into the net with the top half of his right arm, but the goal was ruled valid.
In the ninth minute of stoppage time, Dani Carvajal burst into the box and scored the winning goal to complete the comeback, and Almeria's pain was further exacerbated.
Three major VAR incidents have left Almeria aggrieved by the full-time result – Almeria are bottom of La Liga and have not tasted victory all season.
Midfielder Gonzalo Melero told reporters after the game:"We felt like we were snatched from today's game, that's obvious. "I don't think there's anything else there can do to help them get into the game.
Penalties, [Vinicius] hand action goals, duel goals were disallowed. If we want to be the best league in the world, as people often say, we are still far from it.
It's hard for me to say that, and it makes me angry. "
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters with a calm face that he thinks"The right decision was made"。
He added:"Everyone has their own opinion. "I'm talking about what I see. Almeria played well, but if you look at those three decisions, they were all right. I'd like to hear someone say that we won because of var"。
It was a particularly significant victory, as late on Sunday, Real Madrid's title rivals Girona thrashed Sevilla 5-1 to ensure Real Madrid were just one point behind with a game in hand.
Next weekend, Real Madrid will travel to Las Palmas and Girona will take on Celta Vigo as the title race continues.