VAR penalties strip Real Madrid of points, title hopes crumble

The VAR decisions that stripped Real Madrid of seven points this season have effectively handed the La Liga title to Barcelona, leaving the Merengues' championship ambitions in tatters. The loss of those points underscores a broader pattern of VAR‑related setbacks that have plagued the club over the past two campaigns.

The last two seasons have seen Real Madrid fail to capture any of their desired trophies despite fielding one of the world’s strongest squads. The disappointment prompted the departures of three head coaches: Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Against arch‑rivals FC Barcelona, the Merengues managed only one victory in eight encounters. That poor head‑to‑head record amplified the frustration of the fanbase during the same period.

A report by Diario AS found that both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona were subject to an identical eleven VAR interventions against them. However, those interventions cost Real Madrid five points while depriving Barcelona of only a single point.

The first two‑point loss came at Girona’s Montilivi stadium under Xabi Alonso, when a goal by Kylian Mbappé was disallowed for handball. The decision removed two points that Real Madrid would otherwise have secured.

The second setback occurred at Osasuna’s El Sadar, where VAR first awarded a penalty after a foul by Thibaut Courtois and then overturned a Budimir goal. The match ended 2‑1 to Osasuna, costing Real Madrid three points they had been poised to claim.

Even without those VAR calls, Real Madrid would still have fallen short of the league crown. In the 2024‑25 campaign, VAR removed seven points from Real Madrid while granting Barcelona five, directly influencing the title outcome.

Statistically, Real Madrid (four) ranked just above Elche (three) for the fewest VAR calls in their favour, whereas Barcelona (eleven) trailed only Athletic Club (twelve) for the most favourable decisions. Looking ahead, the club must address these officiating disparities if it hopes to restore its dominance in La Liga.