Football fans have had a lot to say following Real Madrid's controversial 2-1 win over Celta Vigo at the Balaídos. An extraordinary turn of events in Saturday afternoon's encounter left a bitter taste in the mouth of the hosts who had three questionable penalty decisions going against them.
Real Madrid are set to take on Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie and were poised to get the needed confidence by securing a favorable result this weekend. In the absence of the ailing Carlo Ancelotti, his son manned the dugout and, ultimately, led the Meregues to a win.
Madrid took the lead in the 19th minute after Eder Militao's right foot was pulled by Nolito, who collided with the Brazilian's back and gave away the game's first penalty. Benzema subsequently stepped up and fired the ball to the right of goalkeeper Matias Dituto with no stress at all. However, the lead did not last, with Celta restoring parity after half-time. Nolito was the player to score, with the forward latching onto Iago Aspas' through ball and burying his effort past Thibaut Courtois.
With the pendulum swinging in favor of the host and momentum building up, Madrid were handed another opportunity to restore the lead against the run of play. This time, Rodrygo ensured that he tumbled over the planted left leg of Jeison Murillo. Benzema stepped up once more to take it once again although, this time, the goalkeeper guessed the right way and saved his effort.
To add insult to the injury of Celta, match referee Pablo Gonzalez awarded a third penalty to the capital club in the 70th minute. It arrived after Ferland Mendy also took a tumble in the 18-yard-box upon making a slight contact with the foot of Kevin Vazquez. Once again, Karim Benzema was called up to do the honors, scoring his side's second goal of the night to take his tally for the season to 39 in all competitions.
3 - @realmadriden have taken three penalties in a single #LaLiga for the first time since at least 2003/04 season; the last time a side did it was Valencia vs Real Madrid in November 2020 (three goals scored by Carlos Soler). Punishment#CeltaRealMadrid #RM pic.twitter.com/Z8Uk4iFZFQ
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 2, 2022
A number of Celta players including skipper Iago Aspas and goalscorer Nolito did not hold back with their criticism, slamming the game's officiating and the treatment their side received. With the result, Real Madrid are now 12 points ahead of Sevilla and 15 in front of third-placed Barcelona. Below is how some fans reacted to the situation:
Aspas not holding back after Real Madrid got three penalties against them. ”The only thing missing was for him to give another and take it himself, or Benzema so he could get a hattrick - which seemed to be what he (the referee) was looking for” https://t.co/hZNryDTD4H
— Alexandra Jonson (@AlexandraJonson) April 2, 2022
Real Madrid awarded THREE penalties in one game prior to their meeting Chelsea. I'm not a prophet but y'all buckle up pic.twitter.com/9fuhnVqfsT
— silva (@siilvacfc) April 2, 2022
Minute 68 & three rigorous and unfair penalties called in favor of Real Madrid and a goal disallowed against Celta.This not only damages the image of Football & the League it also damages the image of Real Madrid,which does not need these refereeing aids to win this
— NadirHussain (@nadirkhaskheli3) April 3, 2022
Competition. pic.twitter.com/79HpHcxclj
Real Madrid got three penalties LOOOOOL pic.twitter.com/khzq9MFLED
— SaL (@ObiSalKenobii) April 2, 2022
Real Madrid play terribly and get bailed out by three penalties (two of which were extremely dubious) and a disallowed Barry Aspas goal. Nice. Imagine my shock. pic.twitter.com/n1CUadfSwh
— Nicholas Bayley (@nfb10_) April 2, 2022
How can Real Madrid be having three penalties in a single game?
— Abayomi Johnson dCalculator (@Iabayomijohnson) April 2, 2022
I've just witnessed that Real Madrid wins three penalties in one game!
— Sajjad Lattef (@ImSajjadLattef) April 2, 2022
From refusing to whistle any, to give 3 !
#CeltaRealMadrid
The ref from the @RCCeltaEN v @realmadrid will need a very large glass of wine tonight.
— Rob Palmer (@robbopalmer) April 2, 2022
He awarded Real Madrid three penalties (two scored) and disallowed a Celta goal.
All decisions were scrutinised and backed by VAR.