The way Real Madrid scored its goals on Saturday evening during the visit to Real Sociedad (0-2) is causing quite a stir in Spain. Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded team scored twice in the Basque Country from penalties, with the second one being particularly controversial.
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The controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s penalty decisions continued to be a major talking point after their 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad.
This marked the third and fourth penalties awarded to Real Madrid in the current La Liga season, with previous penalties also playing key roles in their matches against Las Palmas (1-1) and Real Betis (2-0). In the latest match, while there was little contention regarding the first penalty, which Vinícius Júnior calmly converted after Sergio Gómez handled the ball, the second penalty left many questioning the fairness of the decision.
The second penalty, which effectively sealed the game for Madrid, came after Jon Aramburu appeared to step on Vinícius Júnior’s foot. However, the ball had already been played away, and the incident initially seemed inconsequential. Nevertheless, the Brazilian winger appealed to the referee, and following a VAR review, the referee awarded the penalty, much to the disbelief and frustration of Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil.
Alguacil did not hold back in his post-match comments, stating: “For me, there was only one clear penalty. It’s a shame because if we are going to award penalties for incidents like this, we are ruining football. It’s not how the game should be played, and if things don’t change, we will stop enjoying football as we know it.”
The penalty decision was crucial, as it allowed Kylian Mbappé who was instrumental throughout the game to confidently convert the spot-kick, effectively ending any hope Sociedad had of a comeback. With the scoreline at 2-0, the match lost its competitive edge, leaving Real Sociedad feeling hard done by despite their strong performance.
Alguacil expressed his disappointment, pointing out that his team had competed well and had been resilient against one of the top sides in Spain. “I think we did many things right today, but the reality is that big teams like Real Madrid can score two goals without necessarily playing brilliantly. It’s frustrating because last year we also played well but still lost 1-0. It feels like we’re repeating the same pattern,” he lamented.
Real Sociedad’s start to the season has been challenging, with only four points from their opening five matches. This slow start puts added pressure on Alguacil and his players as they seek to turn their form around in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s victory further solidified their position at the top of the table, though the growing criticism of their reliance on penalties may become a narrative they have to address as the season progresses.
Alguacil’s frustration mirrors a growing sentiment among some La Liga coaches and fans that the use of VAR, and the interpretation of incidents, particularly concerning penalties, is becoming a contentious issue. As the debate over what constitutes a penalty continues, this match serves as another example of how modern football’s evolving rules and technologies are impacting the game.
Updated: 02:25, 15 Sep 2024
