Real Madrid downplay Almeria talk of VAR 'robbery' in loss - ESPN

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti dismissed Almería's anger as LaLiga's bottom club complained they were robbed in Sunday's thrilling 3-2 victory for the hosts at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Almeria, who are without a league win this season, took a surprise 2-0 half-time lead against Madrid. Ancelotti's side responded with three second-half goals, though, including a 99th minute winner to return to the top of the table.

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The game swung on three key moments after the break, with referee Francisco José Hernández Maeso awarding Madrid a penalty, ruling out an Almería strike and allowing a Vinicius Junior goal converted with his upper arm to stand.

All three decisions were made after Hernández Maeso rewatched the incidents on the pitch side monitor, with Ancelotti lending his support to each of the calls.

«I understand Almería's anger with the decisions, but I think they were all correct,» Ancelotti said in his post-game news conference. «I have seen them back. I think the referee gets them right. It's not VAR making the decisions. VAR advises and the referee decides. I think he was right.»

Almería had made a flying start, with Largie Ramazani opening the scoring in the first minute and Edgar González doubling their lead in the 43rd minute before the drama began after the break.

First, the referee gave a penalty for a Kaiky Fernandes handball when Almería claimed the Brazilian had been fouled by Joselu, with Jude Bellingham converting from the spot.

Almería then had a Sergio Arribas goal disallowed due to a foul on Bellingham by Dion Lopy in the build-up, setting the stage for Vinícius to equalise with his upper arm. Dani Carvajal then scored the winner deep in stoppage time,