Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against La Liga strugglers Almeria, with a Jude Bellingham penalty and a dramatic 99th-minute winner from Dani Carvajal. 

The match was marred by significant VAR controversy, overshadowing the on-field action.

Almeria, still searching for their first La Liga win, stunned Real Madrid by taking a 2-0 lead in a surprising first half. 

Despite Almeria looking more clinical than the ponderous Real Madrid, three marginal VAR decisions within twelve minutes turned the tide in favor of Los Blancos. A

Almeria’s coach, Gaizka Gaitano, was later red-carded for expressing dissatisfaction with the referee’s decisions.

Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez contributed to Almeria’s lead with a wonder goal just 38 seconds into the match. 

However, Carvajal’s header in the dying moments secured Real Madrid’s comeback, placing them back at the top of the La Liga table.

Real Madrid now faces a busy period in early February, welcoming Girona and Atletico Madrid to the Bernabeu in La Liga. 

Despite the hard-fought victory, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased, especially as they still hold a game in hand after this weekend.

Almeria, despite executing a smart game plan and exposing Real Madrid’s vulnerabilities, left the Bernabeu empty-handed. 

The trio of Ramazani, Marezi, and Arribas kept Los Blancos on their toes with swift interplay. Captain Lucas Robertone, playing through injury, orchestrated the opener that stunned the Bernabeu. 

Despite their commendable performance, Almeria remains winless, trailing 10 points behind Sevilla and safety in La Liga.