Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane fumes after VAR awards controversial penalty to Sevilla in 2-2 draw; an advantage for Atletico in the title race
Real Madrid players chat with the referee after conceding a penalty to Sevilla on Sunday. Pic/AFP
Eden Hazard’s 94th-minute equaliser salvaged Real Madrid a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sevilla on Sunday as an extraordinary penalty decision swung La Liga’s title race back in Atletico Madrid’s favour.
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Zinedine Zidane’s side had levelled through Marco Asensio midway through the second half and thought they had a penalty when Karim Benzema was brought down after rounding Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bono.
Huge decision
But VAR prompted referee Juan Martinez Munuera to check an Eder Militao handball a few seconds before, with a huge decision seeing Madrid’s penalty cancelled and a spot-kick awarded to Sevilla instead. Ivan Rakitic converted and while Madrid still managed to hit back in injury time, Toni Kroos’ shot deflecting in off Eden Hazard’s foot, the draw hands the advantage back to Atletico at the end of another dramatic weekend in the Spanish title race. “They have to explain the exact rules of the hands to me,” said Zidane. “But now we have to think about the next game. It is not up to us now, but we will fight to the end, to the death.”
Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. Pic/AFP
After Barcelona and Atletico played out a goalless draw on Saturday, the second instalment of La Liga’s blockbuster weekend also finished honours even, meaning the situation at the top is unchanged with three games remaining.
Sevilla out of title battle
Atletico are two points clear of both Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the title very much back in their hands. A Sevilla victory might have given them an outside chance but instead they remain six points back and are out of the running.
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