LaLiga
Real Madrid’s Late Win Leaves Getafe Furious After Controversial VAR Decision
Real Madrid snatched a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Getafe, but the story of the night was less about Kylian Mbappe’s late goal and more about the controversial VAR decision that left the home side fuming.
In a tense La Liga clash at the Coliseum, Allan Nyom’s red card in the 77th minute proved to be the turning point. The substitute was sent off for a challenge on Vinicius Jr, and though many expected VAR to overturn the decision, the referee stood firm. Just minutes later, Mbappe pounced, netting his 10th league goal of the season to keep Madrid at the top of the table.
Getafe’s Frustration Boils Over
The atmosphere was electric — and by the final whistle, explosive. Getafe players surrounded referee Jose Munuera Montero, furious that Nyom’s dismissal was upheld without a more thorough review.
Winger Adrian Liso didn’t hold back post-match:
“He doesn’t even want to talk to us,” Liso said. “Not even the VAR saw it. None of them are red cards. It ruins the game completely. Everything went very badly for us.”
The frustration was shared throughout the Getafe camp, with several players suggesting Vinicius Jr exaggerated contact and provoked reactions from defenders.
“He plays his game, and it works for him,” Liso added. “If referees don’t catch it, he’ll keep doing it.”
Despite the anger, few could deny the impact of Vinicius’ introduction. His energy and pace completely changed Madrid’s attack, forcing mistakes and creating the space that led to Mbappe’s match-winning strike.
Madrid Stay Top Amid Familiar VAR Drama
The win keeps Real Madrid two points clear of Barcelona, who earlier beat Girona 2-1 thanks to a late Ronald Araujo header. But once again, Madrid find themselves at the heart of VAR controversy — a recurring theme in recent La Liga seasons.
Critics have accused referees of inconsistency in decisions involving Madrid, especially with red cards and penalty calls. While there’s no evidence of bias, Getafe’s outrage has reignited the debate over refereeing standards in Spanish football.
For Xabi Alonso, the victory was more relief than joy. His team lacked their usual sharpness and needed individual brilliance from Vinicius and Mbappe to snatch the points. Still, with Mbappe now having scored in 13 of his last 14 matches, Madrid’s talismanic forward continues to break records reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2014–15 form.
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