Jude Bellingham provided inspiration for Real Madrid, leading them to a thrilling comeback from a two-goal deficit to secure victory against Almeria, who currently occupy the bottom position in La Liga.
At the Bernabeu, the winless away team secured an unexpected 2-0 lead with goals from Largie Ramazani and Edgar Gonzalez. England midfielder Bellingham converted a penalty in the 57th minute, followed by Vinicius Jr leveling the score 10 minutes later.
In the ninth minute of added time, Bellingham’s header set up Dani Carvajal to net the decisive goal. Although the dramatic triumph briefly propelled Real to the top, Girona reclaimed the summit with a 5-1 win over struggling Sevilla later on Sunday.
Ukraine striker Artem Dovbyk, recording a hat-trick for the surprise leaders, joined Bellingham as La Liga’s joint-top scorer with 14 goals.
Reflecting on Real’s victory, Almeria midfielder Gonzalo Melero expressed frustration on DAZN, claiming, “we were robbed,” as numerous video assistant referee (VAR) decisions went against his team.
“It pains me to say it, but there’s no other way to take it,” he added. “And that’s not the first this year. What happened today went beyond all limits, it was unbelievable.
“Nothing more could have been done for them to win the game.”
Goalscorer Gonzalez added: “This is a competition that should be fair for everyone and sometimes it’s hard to see that.”
Real Madrid was anticipated to easily overcome Almeria, a team that had only managed to secure a single point on the road in their challenging 2023-24 season. However, following a goalless draw against Girona in their previous match at home, the Andalusian side surprised the hosts by scoring just 38 seconds into the game.
A well-executed buildup play, initiated after Almeria gained possession, allowed Lucas Robertone to find the unmarked Ramazani, whose low shot caught Kepa Arrizabalaga off guard.
In the 43rd minute, Gonzalez’s impeccably struck half-volley sailed over a flat-footed Kepa, further extending Almeria’s lead.
Real Madrid, however, was granted a contentious penalty after VAR determined that the ball had touched Kaiky’s arm, with Antonio Rudiger considered not to have committed a foul in the buildup. Bellingham confidently stepped up to convert his first La Liga penalty, sending Almeria goalkeeper Luis Maximiano the wrong way.
Almeria believed they secured a third goal when Sergio Arribas slotted the ball past Kepa from Ramazani’s cross, but the VAR intervened and overturned the decision.
Vinicius Jr then equalized with another contentious goal initially disallowed for handball, as the Brazilian seemed to guide it in with his arm. However, the referee reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor and reversed his initial judgment.
In the midst of Real’s late comeback, Almeria manager Gaizka Garitano received a second booking for dissent and was subsequently sent off. Real Madrid then clinched a dramatic victory in the ninth minute of the 11 minutes of injury time. A deep cross from a Real counter-attack found Bellingham, who directed his header to the opposite side of the six-yard box, where Carvajal applied a close-range finish.
“I understand Almeria’s anger with the VAR decisions, but I think they were well judged,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
“It was a strange game, the first half was very bad. I judged yesterday’s training session poorly, it was a tired team.”