Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Dani Carvajal grabbed the goals as Real Madrid avoided embarrassment - with the help of some controversial officiating - against La Liga's bottom-placed side, Almeria. Los Blancos were awarded a controversial penalty, had an equalising goal given despite an apparent handball, and saw their visitors harshly have a goal of their own ruled out before earning a 3-2 win in stoppage-time.
Almeria enjoyed a memorable start at Santiago Bernabeu, as they crafted a sweeping move from the opening kick-off, which ended up with Largie Ramazani stroking the ball into the bottom corner within 40 seconds. The visitors, who are yet to win a game this season, then grabbed a deserved second on the stroke of half-time via a fine strike from centre-back Edgar, who spanked a half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards.
Madrid offered a response in the second half, however and they were good value for their goal back, as Bellingham converted from the penalty spot after a handball was spotted by the officials.
Almeria did, though, have a third goal - scored by ex-Madrid academy star Sergio Arribas - harshly ruled out for a foul in the build-up, and Madrid grabbed a controversial equaliser soon after as Vinicius dove to meet an Aurelien Tchouameni cross, and appeared to use his upper arm to divert the ball into the net — only for the referee to give the goal after consulting with VAR.
The late Madrid winner felt inevitable, and Bellingham was central to it as his careful header to the back post was turned in by Carvajal to spark wild scenes and move Carlo Ancelotti's - at least temporarily - two points clear at the top of the table.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Bernabeu...
