---

January 22, 2024

Real Madrid 3-2 Almeria: Bellingham Sets Up Carvajal for Dramatic Late Winner – La Liga

Jude Bellingham played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s thrilling comeback from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory over Almeria, capped off by a late winner from Dani Carvajal. After a lackluster first half, Bellingham and Vinicius Junior helped the hosts regain their footing. Bellingham headed back across goal in injury time for Carvajal’s decisive strike.

Real Madrid snatched a 3-2 win against La Liga’s bottom team, Almeria, aided by a penalty from Bellingham and Carvajal’s last-gasp goal in the 99th minute amid significant VAR controversy. Despite their efforts, Almeria remained winless this season. She appeared poised to break that streak after taking a 2-0 lead during a shocking first half where they looked more clinical against a sluggish Real Madrid.

The game turned on three contentious VAR decisions in a twelve-minute span, swinging the momentum toward Los Blancos. Almeria’s manager, Gaizka Gaetano, was shown a red card for protesting against the referee’s calls as his side faced a series of misfortunes.

Almeria had given Real Madrid a significant assist the previous week by holding Girona to a goalless draw. Still, they seemed set to return the favor with Largie Ramazani’s early goal 38 seconds into the match and a stunning volley from Edgar Gonzalez just before halftime.

Carvajal’s header not only secured the win but also allowed Real Madrid to return to the top of the table. Girona faced Sevilla later in the evening, trying to close the two-point gap with a game in hand still in play. The upcoming schedule is busy for Real Madrid as they prepare to host Girona and Atletico Madrid—who recently knocked them out of the Copa del Rey—before resuming their Champions League campaign. Carlo Ancelotti will be relieved by the victory despite the hard-fought nature of the match.

Meanwhile, Gaetano will be disappointed after his side executed a well-thought-out game plan against a team that had just overwhelmed Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final. Almeria remains ten points adrift of safety, still searching for their first win.

The visitors weren’t just resilient underdogs; they exploited Real Madrid’s defensive errors, with mistakes from Nacho and Bellingham contributing to all three goals, including the last one disallowed moments after Bellingham’s penalty. The front trio of Ramazani, Marezi, and Arribas kept Real Madrid on their toes with rapid interplay, and captain Lucas Robertson, who played through injury, delivered the pinpoint pass for the opener that silenced the Bernabeu. However, 

Edgar’s exquisite volley from outside the box genuinely stunned, soaring straight into the top corner, leaving Kepa Arrizabalaga with no chance.

Though Real Madrid came out fighting in the second half, making several tactical changes, they faced continued threats from Almeria, who deserved something from the match.

Talking Point – VAR Controversy Overshadows Comeback Victory

Real Madrid’s comeback win was clouded by a series of contentious calls in a match defined by VAR interventions. Within 15 minutes, a marginal penalty, a disallowed goal for a minor foul, and Vinicius’ equalizer that appeared to strike his arm occurred. This sequence will fuel conspiracy theories, even though the initial decision, where Kaiky’s hand was hit by a Joselu cross, was clear.

Similarly, while Dion Loby’s hand grazed Bellingham’s face in the buildup to Almeria’s disallowed third goal, it was clear that Bellingham exaggerated the impact. The foul occurred right before the referee, who initially chose to take no action, only for VAR to intervene later.

Although two 50-50 calls leaning in favor of one team isn’t unusual in football, Vinicius’ equalizer—scored with his arm—became increasingly contentious with each replay. The referee’s original decision went against Real Madrid, only to be overturned after a review. 

Officials ultimately ruled the ball deflected off Vinicius’ shoulder and into the net past Luis Maximiano.

Adding to Almeria’s misfortune, the 11 minutes of stoppage time extended by these decisions allowed Carvajal to secure the late winner, leaving the visiting side feeling hard done by.

Player of the Match – Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

While Almeria’s coach, Gaizka Gaitano, might be inclined to criticize referee Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso, one could track Jude Bellingham throughout the match to gain insight into its flow. Bellingham appeared frustrated during the first half, struggling to impose his game against Almeria’s disciplined and physical defense, with Vinicius emerging as Real Madrid’s primary threat.

However, he was instrumental in the second-half turnaround, orchestrating the attack and calmly converting a penalty to put his team on the scoreboard. A (somewhat dubious) foul on Bellingham also led to Almeria’s third goal being disallowed after he was dispossessed. Bellingham responded magnificently when the stakes were highest, providing a perfectly cushioned header for Carvajal’s dramatic winner.

Player Ratings

Real Madrid: Kepa 6, Carvajal 7, Rudiger 4, Nacho 3, Mendy 5, Valverde 6, Tchouameni 6, Kroos 6, Bellingham 8, Rodrygo 4, Vinicius Jr 7.

Subs: Camavinga 5, Joselu 7, Ceballos 6, Garcia 7, Diaz 7.

Almeria: Maximiano 7, Pubill 6, Kaiky 6, Chumi 6, Akieme 8, Gonzalez 8, Arribas 7, Robertone 7, Lopy 7, Ramazani 8, Milanovic 7.

Subs: Suarez 6, Embarba 6, Melero 6, Lazaro 5, Pozo 6.

Match Highlights

1′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 ALMERIA (RAMAZANI): What a surprise! The visitors take the lead early on. Almeria capitalizes on a poor pass from Nacho to Mendy, quickly switching the play from right to left. Largie Ramazani, one of three changes for this match, finds himself one-on-one with Kepa and scores 38 seconds into the game!

43′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-2 ALMERIA (GONZALEZ): Nacho sets up Almeria’s second goal with a weak clearance that falls to Edgar Gonzalez, who, playing as a center-back, unleashes a stunning volley from outside the box into the top corner. Kepa stands no chance! A goal that genuinely deserves a replay. This could be a massive upset!

54′ – PENALTY? A dangerous cross strikes Kaiky’s arm, and VAR is called to review. The contact is clear, but the referee needs to consider a possible foul by Joselu on the defender. And he gives the penalty! Almeria is furious, but Real Madrid has a chance to reduce the deficit.

57′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-2 ALMERIA (BELLINGHAM): Who else but Bellingham? He calmly converts the penalty to halve the deficit!

61′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-3 ALMERIA (ARRIBAS): Just as Madrid seems to be gaining momentum, Almeria restores their two-goal lead! Loby intercepts Bellingham and sets Ramazani free down the wing. He delivers a pinpoint through ball to Sergio Arribas, who finishes first-time past Kepa.

64′ – GOAL DISALLOWED: Tough luck for Almeria! Loby’s hand brushes Bellingham’s face as he tries to balance, and Bellingham goes down. The referee decides the contact was enough to warrant a foul, and Real Madrid gets another lifeline, thanks to VAR.

69′ – GOAL? EQUALISER? Vinicius has the ball in the net, but Chumi goes down after a challenge from the Brazilian. More VAR drama as it appears the ball may have hit Vinicius’ arm.

70′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-2 ALMERIA (VINICIUS): Gaizka Garitano can’t believe it! After three VAR decisions against his team in 12 minutes, his side’s two-goal lead is wiped out. The goal stands, and Real Madrid is back in it.

77′ – BELLINGHAM GOAL DISALLOWED! Jude Bellingham scores again with a stunning strike from the edge of the box! Fran Garcia sets it up with a brilliant run, but the flag is up for offside, keeping the score at 2-2.

90+7′ – RED CARD! Gaizka Gaitano is sent off! The home players accuse Lopy of time-wasting, and after a heated exchange, Gaitano receives a second yellow card. His post-match comments will surely be entertaining.

90+11′ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-2 ALMERIA (CARVAJAL): It’s the winner! Dani Carvajal delivers a fantastic cross, and Bellingham heads it back across the goal for Diaz to finish from close range! Chaos erupts in the Bernabeu!

Show your favorite team some love! Visit our site to let them know you’re cheering them on.

Football News Today | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A