Real Madrid missed the chance to go the top of the La Liga standings after drawing 2-2 at home to Sevilla on Sunday, but they earned a point when an own goal from Diego Carlos in added time gave a final twist to a remarkable game containing two huge VAR decisions.
The result left Atletico Madrid in first place with three games to go on 77 points, two ahead of second-placed Real and third-placed Barcelona.
Brazilian midfielder Fernando put Sevilla in front midway through the first half after a headed effort from Real striker Karim Benzema had been ruled out for a marginal offside.
A goal from Marco Asensio pulled Zinedine Zidane’s side level in the 67th, but the game swung back in Sevilla’s favour in an extraordinary turn of events.
Real launched a quick counter and Benzema earned a penalty when he was felled by goalkeeper Bono, but a VAR review led to the referee penalising Real defender Eder Militao for an earlier handball and awarding a spot-kick to Sevilla instead.
Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic kept his nerve to deceive Thibaut Courtois from the spot and restore Sevilla’s lead in the 77th minute.
However, Real somehow stayed alive in an enthralling title race when Toni Kroos tried his luck and saw his shot diverted into the net off the boot of Diego Carlos.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane came on the pitch after the full-time whistle to speak to referee Juan Martinez Munuera and admitted being annoyed by the penalty awarded as Militao handled after leaping in the air to defend a cross.
“I’m very angry, someone needs to explain the handball rule to me. It’s very difficult to take because we played very well but it is what it is,” Zidane told reporters.
“I don’t like to speak about the referees, but today the sensations are not good.”
Zidane shook up his starting 11 by dropping Eden Hazard but still could not get full points from the match.
“We have let two points escape today, we did everything to win the game,” said Real midfielder Luka Modric. “But the ball wouldn’t go in and then we earn a penalty which is taken away and another is given down the other end. But we’re still alive.”
