Real Madrid Game: VAR Frustration in Madrid Derby

The September 20, 2026, Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, ending 2-1, has become a focal point for VAR-related frustrations in La Liga. Jose Mourinho's return to the Madrid bench added significant pre-match tension against Diego Simeone's Atlético.

Key incidents included a 35th-minute challenge by Romero on Bellingham, initially resulting in a yellow card for the wrong player and later deemed reckless by VAR. Nine minutes later, Kang-in Lee's challenge on Valverde was missed by VAR, later admitted as a clear error by the CTA.

Shortly after halftime, Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen received a red card and conceded a penalty, which Atlético converted to secure their 2-1 lead. The CTA confirmed these as correct decisions. Real Madrid expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the Valverde incident review and the red card threshold.

Following the match, Real Madrid issued a statement demanding accountability, while Mourinho publicly displayed stills of controversial challenges. The club referenced a previous disputed call against Real Betis, suggesting a pattern.

These consecutive disputes have fueled discussions about a refereeing crisis in Spain, with broadcasters dedicating segments to VAR protocols. The result placed Atlético atop the league, with Real Madrid in fourth, three points behind. The CTA announced plans to review derby VAR audio for transparency. The next Madrid derby is scheduled for February 2027.