VICTORY IN A STORM OF CONTROVERSY! Real Madrid beat Mallorca, but VAR becomes the center of a scandal, Bernabéu fans point to a ‘strange sign’ – and Real Madrid are reportedly considering filing a formal complaint with the Spanish FA

The Santiago Bernabéu witnessed one of its most dramatic nights in recent memory as Real Madrid secured a controversial 2-1 victory over Mallorca. What should have been a straightforward league triumph turned into a whirlwind of debate, suspicion, and fury, as VAR took center stage with a series of highly disputed decisions that left players, fans, and even the club’s directors in disbelief.

The match began with fireworks when Kylian Mbappé appeared to open the scoring in the 7th minute. His dazzling finish sent Madridistas into raptures, but celebrations were brutally cut short after referee José Sánchez consulted the VAR monitor. To the astonishment of the entire stadium, the goal was ruled out for the narrowest of offside margins. Mbappé stood frozen in frustration, while boos cascaded down from the stands, marking the start of an evening filled with controversy.

Matters quickly worsened for the home side. In the 18th minute, Vedat Muriqi rose highest in the box and powered home a header past Thibaut Courtois, giving Mallorca a shock lead. The Bernabéu fell into stunned silence as Madrid suddenly found themselves chasing the game. But instead of panic, the setback seemed to ignite a fire in Los Blancos, who increased the tempo and pushed forward relentlessly.

Their persistence finally paid off in the 37th minute. Teenage sensation Arda Güler, showcasing his trademark vision and composure, calmly slotted home after an incisive pass from Dean Huijsen. The equalizer lifted the pressure off Madrid’s shoulders and brought the crowd back into full voice. Just moments later, the stadium erupted again when Vinícius Júnior picked up the ball near midfield, beat two defenders with blistering pace, and curled an unstoppable strike into the net. In less than two minutes, Madrid had completely turned the tie around.

But if anyone thought the night’s drama was over, VAR had other ideas. Right on the stroke of halftime, Mbappé thought he had doubled Madrid’s lead with another clinical finish. Once again, joy turned to despair as VAR intervened, ruling the Frenchman narrowly offside. The pattern was becoming painfully familiar, and the frustration inside the Bernabéu reached boiling point.

The second half brought more chaos. In the 55th minute, Arda Güler unleashed a brilliant effort that rippled the back of the net, seemingly sealing the game. Yet again, the video referee disallowed the goal—this time citing a controversial handball in the build-up. The decision sent shockwaves around the ground, with many supporters pointing towards what they called “a strange sign” in the VAR booth, fueling conspiracy theories that something unusual was influencing the night’s officiating.

By this stage, the tension was unbearable. Madrid continued to dominate possession and create chances, but every attack seemed to carry a sense of dread: would VAR intervene again? The players themselves looked visibly unsettled, often throwing their arms in disbelief after each referee decision. Mbappé in particular cut a frustrated figure, shaking his head after every denied effort.

According to Spanish media reports, Real Madrid’s hierarchy wasted no time in addressing the controversy. Immediately after the match, club executives held a closed-door meeting to review the incidents. Some within the board reportedly demanded that the club file a formal complaint with the Spanish Football Federation, arguing that the integrity of the competition was being compromised.

Despite the chaos, Madrid held firm to secure the 2-1 victory—maintaining their perfect record of three wins from three matches and sitting proudly atop the La Liga table with nine points. Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, and Arda Güler were all praised for their resilience in the face of adversity, with many pundits remarking that the team’s mental strength was as impressive as their football.

The fans, however, left the Bernabéu with mixed emotions. On one hand, they celebrated the crucial win and the continued momentum at the start of the season. On the other, deep unease lingered about the role of VAR and whether unseen forces were at play. Social media platforms exploded with debates, with “VAR robbery” quickly trending in Spain as thousands of supporters shared their anger.

For now, Real Madrid’s victory stands, but the echoes of controversy refuse to fade. This match will not just be remembered for the goals scored or disallowed but for the storm of suspicion that surrounded it. August 31, 2025, will go down in Bernabéu history as the night Los Blancos triumphed in spite of the odds, the officiating, and perhaps something even more mysterious.