Real Madrid are now top of LaLiga… in penalties in their favour!

Published:15/09/2024 - 00:22h

Updated:15/09/2024 - 08:21h

Real Madrid continue to benefit from questionable decisions by referees. Four of the last five goals for the Whites in La Liga have come from the penalty spot, and they are clinging to this 'route' to cover up for their poor form on the pitch

While they continue to leave more doubts than certainties with their level on the pitch, Real Madrid continue to climb the LaLiga EA Sports 2024/25 standings, and the referees' decisions have a lot to do with it. In the first five rounds of the championship, the Whites have been favored with four penalties, which were awarded to them against UD Las Palmas, Real Betis and, this Saturday, twice against Real Sociedad.

It all started in Las Palmas

The first penalty of this series was awarded by Busquets Ferrer, who in the match played at the Gran Canaria Stadium corresponding to the third round of the championship, sanctioned the eleven-meter shot for Carlo Ancelotti's team to equalize the match. The home team had taken the lead through Alberto Moleiro, but Vinicius Jr. did not forgive Cillessen and scored the final draw of the match.

A couple of days later, Real Betis were the victims of Alberola Rojas. Conditioned by the pressure from the Santiago Bernabéu, the central referee decreed the penalty kick when the Casa Blanca was winning 1-0 against the Verdiblancos with a goal from Kylian Mbappé. The French star was in charge of scoring from the eleven steps and sentenced the match in favor of his team, which went into the international break 4 points behind FC Barcelona in the standings.

Madrid beat Real from the eleven meters

Once the international window was over, the Merengues maintained the trend in the fifth day of the Spanish tournament, this time by double. When things were getting tough for Ancelotti's men, Martínez Munuera awarded the first penalty for a clear and undeniable handball by Sergio Gómez, who, in his attempt to cover his face, stretched out his arms and gave a chance from the eleven metres to Vini Jr., who knew how to capitalise on it to open the scoring.

More controversial was the second penalty awarded by the main referee. The Venezuelan Aramburu stepped on Vinicius Jr. inside the area, but the Brazilian had already played the ball. Martínez Munuera, with the help of the VAR, reviewed the play and considered it punishable, allowing Kylian Mbappé to seal the match from the penalty spot. As things stand, the Whites do not lose track of Barça, clinging to a path that has benefited them over the years.