22 January 2024 , 11:13
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Almeria's players insisted the "game was stolen" after seeing Jude Bellingham mastermind a 99th-minute winner for Real Madrid on Sunday.
The Rojiblancos are rock bottom of La Liga having failed to win a game all season. But they looked set to spring a shock away at the Bernabeu, going two goals up before half-time to appear to take control of the match against Real.
But Los Blancos got themselves back into gear in the second half, with Bellingham scoring a penalty 12 minutes after the break. Vinicius then equalised 10 minutes later to set up a grandstand finish.
Bellingham duly delivered for his side once again deep into the 11 minutes of stoppage time. The hosts capitalised on an error from Almeria at a throw-in, with a superb Bellingham pass releasing Dani Carvajal down the right.
The England international then surged into the box, cushioning a header from a cross back towards the far post, where Carvajal stormed in to fire home and win the game. But Almeria were left fuming at several VAR decisions which led to their defeat.
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They were unhappy with both the penalty which Bellingham scored and Vinicius' equaliser, with the Brazilian accused of a handball in the build-up. The visitors were also left incensed when referee Franciso Jose Hernandez rruled out a third goal for them.
That led to midfielder Gonzalo Melero insisting his side had been robbed. He said: “We leave with the feeling that the game was stolen from us. The penalty, the goal with the hand, the gesture, the goal disallowed for a struggle.
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But Almeria were left furious by a series of decisions from referee Francisco Jose Hernandez (Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)“If we want to be the best league in the world, as is being said a lot… we are light years away. And it’s hard for me to say it, and it p***** me off, but it’s just that there’s no way to take it.
“There have been several this year, if you don’t complain, they don’t help you. But today’s situation goes beyond all limits. It’s a real blast. Spanish football is now light years away from the Premier League, that’s the reality.”
To round off their difficult evening, Almeria coach Gaizka Garitano was send off after twice being booked by Hernandez. He will now miss Friday's clash with Alaves, with the boss declining to comment on the referee's performance.
“You’ve all seen the game, if I give my opinion… they punish us coaches for talking. So my opinion does not matter, you all saw what happened," Garitano said when asked about Hernandez.
“I don’t usually talk about the referees. It’s not the first time it’s happened to me here. And everyone saw what happened in the game today. What do you want me to say, I’ve not got words to describe what happened here today, what am I going to say?”