In a recent match between Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, a contentious moment arose concerning the second penalty awarded to Real Madrid, which was converted by Kylian Mbappe, making the score 0-2.
The incident in question involved Vinicius Jr and Real Sociedad’s Aramburu. Vinicius, speeding down the wing, passed the ball and was about to move on when Aramburu, in an attempt to block the pass, stepped on the Brazilian’s foot.
Initially, this seemed like a minor clash, and Vinicius, who had fallen to the ground, asked for a penalty. Despite his protests, play continued.
However, the situation did not end there. The VAR team intervened, advising the referee, Martinez Munuera, to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
According to the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the VAR officials recommended an “On Field Review” to determine whether a penalty should be awarded.
“I recommend an On Field Review so that you can evaluate a possible penalty,” the VAR officials told Munuera as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
“First I’ll give you the contact point and now I’ll give you the dynamic,” they added.
Conversations between the officials
During the review, the VAR team instructed Munuera to observe both the point of contact and the overall dynamics of the incident.
They pointed out that it appeared to be a clear stomp on Vinicius. After reviewing the footage, Munuera decided to award the penalty, stating.
“Leave it to me in dynamic. It looks like a clear stomp. Let me see it… It’s late. I’m going without a card, I’m going without a card. Penalty without a card,” said Munuera while pointing to the spot.
This decision sparked significant outrage from Real Sociedad fans, who expressed their disapproval of the referee’s call. The passionate reaction from the stands highlighted the controversy surrounding the decision, which many felt was unjust.
Ultimately, this decision has been a hot topic of debate among fans and pundits alike, underlining the often contentious nature of VAR reviews and their impact on match outcomes.