Real Madrid escaped with a narrow 1-0 win over Getafe in La Liga on Sunday, but the victory was overshadowed by a major Real Madrid VAR controversy that left the home side seething. Kylian Mbappe struck the decisive goal late on, yet Getafe were left raging over Allan Nyom’s red card and what they felt was inconsistent officiating throughout the match.
VAR Drama Defines the Match
For much of the evening, Real Madrid struggled to find their usual fluency under Xabi Alonso. Getafe frustrated them with compact defending, disciplined pressing, and clever tactical fouls that kept the visitors’ rhythm disjointed. Until Vinícius Júnior came off the bench, Madrid hadn’t registered a single shot on target.
But the game turned dramatically in the 77th minute. Getafe defender Allan Nyom, who had only just been substituted on, was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Vinícius. The referee, José Munuera Montero, made the decision instantly, and VAR upheld it after a brief review. The reaction inside the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez was one of disbelief — fans booed relentlessly while Getafe’s bench erupted in protest.
Allan Nyom came on in the 75th minute, and less than a minute later, he was sent off for fouling Vini Jr. 😅 pic.twitter.com/dCP9ybW6rL
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 19, 2025
Three minutes later, Real Madrid capitalized. Mbappe pounced inside the box to net his 10th La Liga goal of the season, ensuring all three points for Los Blancos. To make matters worse for the hosts, defender Sancris received a second yellow card in the 84th minute, leaving Getafe to finish with nine men.
Getafe Rage at Officiating Decisions
When the final whistle blew, frustration boiled over. Several Getafe players surrounded the referee, demanding explanations for both red cards and questioning the lack of a more thorough VAR review. Winger Adrian Liso was particularly outspoken, saying the team felt “robbed.”
“He doesn’t even want to talk to us,” Liso told Spanish media after the match. “Not even the VAR saw it. It was too early, and none of them were red cards. It ruined the game for us. Nyom’s tackle could easily have been a yellow, but instead, we’re down to ten men. Everything was going badly for them, and the referee made it worse.”
Many in the Getafe squad also took aim at Vinícius Júnior, accusing the Brazilian of exaggerating contact and provoking fouls. Liso added, “He plays his game, it works for him, and the referees fall for it. If they keep rewarding that, it will never stop.”
The tension around Vinícius is not new. The winger, who has often been targeted by opposing fans, has also developed a reputation among some La Liga players for theatrics. Yet there was no denying his impact — his introduction changed the game’s tempo and directly led to the breakthrough moment.
Real Madrid VAR Controversy Rekindles Debate
This Real Madrid VAR controversy is the latest in a series of officiating disputes involving Los Blancos. Over the past two seasons, refereeing consistency in La Liga has come under intense scrutiny, with rival clubs often suggesting that Madrid benefit from marginal decisions.
While there is no evidence of bias, Getafe’s frustration has once again reignited debates over transparency in the VAR process. Critics have long argued that communication between officials and players should be clearer and that reviews should take longer when incidents are decisive in tight matches.
For Real Madrid, the focus will now shift to performance rather than perception. Alonso’s men were far from their best and lacked control in midfield for much of the evening. The victory keeps them two points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga, but the manner of the win leaves plenty of room for concern.
Mbappe Delivers Again, But Madrid Lack Spark
Mbappe’s winning goal was his 13th in 14 games across all competitions — an incredible run that mirrors Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive start in 2014-15. Yet, despite his form, Madrid’s over-reliance on individual brilliance is starting to show.
Alonso’s tactical structure has tightened Madrid defensively, but their attacking rhythm often looks one-dimensional without Jude Bellingham or Vinícius from the start. Against a well-organized side like Getafe, Madrid needed inspiration rather than system — and Mbappe provided it once again.
Focus Turns to Juventus and El Clasico
With the Real Madrid VAR controversy still dominating headlines, Alonso will have little time to dwell. His side now faces Juventus in the Champions League before the season’s first El Clásico against Barcelona on October 26. Squad rotation will be key, especially with Mbappe and Vinícius carrying heavy workloads.
Getafe, meanwhile, are preparing an appeal against Nyom’s red card and could face disciplinary action for their post-match comments. For manager José Bordalás, the challenge will be to rally his team’s morale after a match that many in his camp believe was unfairly decided.
As Madrid march on at the top, questions about refereeing integrity and VAR’s influence on Spanish football continue to echo. The victory may strengthen their title push, but the shadow of controversy ensures this win will be remembered as much for the fury it sparked as for the three points it secured.
