VAR audio from Real Madrid’s tense 3-2 LaLiga win over Almeria is released after THREE dubious decisions go against strugglers – as their furious players claim ‘someone decided that we weren’t allowed to win here’ and ‘what happened went beyond all limits’

The VAR audio of Real Madrid’s thrilling 3-2 win over Almeria in Sunday’s LaLiga has been released.

Real secured a dramatic comeback against the bottom of the Spanish top flight – who are yet to win a game this season – after a 2-0 defeat at the Bernabéu.

Second-half goals from Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and a 99th-minute winner from Dani Carvajal saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side keep pace with Girona in the title race.

However, Madrid’s goals caused controversy. Bellingham’s penalty came after a questionable VAR handball penalty call, with Antonio Rudiger deemed not to have committed a foul in the build-up.

An Almeria goal was subsequently disallowed by VAR, before Vinicius Jr. saw a decision to disallow his equalizer for handball overturned when referee Jose Hernandez Maeso consulted the pitch monitor and concluded that the ball had instead gone in off the Brazilian’s shoulder.

Real fought back from a 2-0 deficit after three controversial VAR decisions against Almeria

Joselu headed the ball onto the arm of Kaiky Fernandes and Jude Bellingham scored the penalty to pull one goal back, with Antonio Rudiger adjudged not to have committed a foul.

Almeria were also offended when Vinicius Jr.’s equalizing goal. was given after he was initially ruled out for handball, with referee Jose Hernandez Maeso ruling that it had hit his shoulder.

And after the drama that followed, the official VAR audio has since been released. Speaking about the controversial penalty, VAR official Hernandez Hernandez said: “I recommend an assessment on the pitch so that you can assess a possible penalty due to a handball by the Almería defender.”

Referee Maeso replied: ‘Okay, I’ll see. (…) perfect. The Madrid player tries to score and the ball hits the arm, while the Almeria defender occupies the space. I’m going to give a penalty without a card.’

Before Vinicius’ disallowed goal, Hernandez urged Maeso to reconsider his decision, as he said: “I recommend a field assessment so that you can assess the non-handball, the possible non-handball.”

‘The ball hits the right shoulder, there you have it. The ball hits him on the shoulder. You judge the possible attack error.’

After going to the field monitor, Maeso replied, “I agree with you and the ball hits the shoulder.” Give me one more frame. Perfect, he hits him with his shoulder and it’s a valid goal. I’m going to give the goal, there’s no mistake.’

Despite the audio being released, it did little to assuage Almeria’s anger, with their official X account stating: ‘Why doesn’t the referee get to see the rest of the angles we were able to see on TV?’

It follows their understandable post-match anger, which leaves them with just six points from 21 LaLiga games this season.

Almeria midfielder Gonzalo Melero had claimed his side had been ‘robbed’ when speaking to DAZN after the match.

He said: ‘It pains me to say it, but there is no other way to take it. And that is not the first this year. What happened today went beyond all limits, it was unbelievable.

“Nothing more could have been done to help them win the game.”

Almeria defender Marc Pubill also told DAZN: ‘I think someone decided that we shouldn’t win here at the Bernabeu today, and that’s what happened. Nothing left to say.’

His views were echoed by Edgar Gonzalez, who had given Almeria a 2-0 lead just before half-time, while also questioning the integrity of LaLiga.

The defender said angrily: ‘This is a competition that has to be fair for everyone and that is sometimes difficult to see.’

Carlo Ancelotti sympathized after the match with his counterpart Gaizka Garitano, who was sent off for dissent in extra time, but felt the calls were fair.

Almeira boss Gaizka Garitano was sent off in extra time for dissent after expressing his anger

The release of the VAR audio did little to assuage the anger from LaLiga’s bottom side

“I understand Almeria’s anger at the VAR decisions, but I think they were well judged,” he said.

‘It was a strange match, the first half was very bad. I judged yesterday’s training poorly, it was a tired team.’

Real are one point behind surprise top group Girona after last weekend’s action, which saw LaLiga surprise package beat Sevilla 5-1 on Sunday.

They are back in action next Saturday when they travel to the Canary Islands to take on Las Palmas.