Was it a penalty? The controversial play on Vinicius Junior the referee ignored

Real Madrid and Real Betis are currently facing off in Matchday 18 of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabéu, marking the first game of 2026 for the "Merengue" side. After a short winter break, the club led by Xabi Alonso is looking to achieve the ambitious goals set at the beginning of the season. However, the match against Manuel Pellegrini's squad was quickly overshadowed by a massive controversy just minutes after the opening whistle. This early incident set a tense tone for the rest of the game, sparking immediate debate among fans and pundits alike.

The controversy erupted in the 5th minute when referee Hernández Hernández denied a clear penalty for Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior charged into the box, taking on the Betis right-back, who ultimately brought the Brazilian star down. Despite the contact being visible in the replays—showing the defender's left leg tripping the winger—the official decided not to intervene or call for a VAR review. While the Bernabéu crowd roared in protest over the missed call, the "Casa Blanca" found their redemption through an unexpected source shortly after.

A strikingly similar incident occurred during Real Madrid's match against Alavés on December 14th (Matchday 16), with Vinicius Junior once again at the center of the controversy. Back then, the Brazilian was attacking down the left wing and was brought down inside the box after a clear challenge. Despite replays showing the defender attempting a kick that sent the 25-year-old winger to the ground, neither the referee nor VAR intervened to award the penalty. This recurring pattern of uncalled fouls against the Brazilian star has only added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding officiating in LaLiga.

Although the Brazilian winger is one of Real Madrid’s most influential players, his involvement in key incidents has repeatedly sparked debate over whether contact is genuine or exaggerated. This is partly due to the fact that he is among the most fouled players in both LaLiga and European football. Referees are well aware of this pattern and, on certain occasions, choose not to reward what they perceive as attempts to gain a slight advantage. The incident against Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup stands as a clear example of this trend.

Just minutes after the penalty drama, Real Madrid took the lead thanks to academy graduate Gonzalo García. The young striker, who is currently filling in for the injured Kylian Mbappé, showed great composure to find the back of the net and put the home side ahead. With Mbappé sidelined, García’s performance is being closely watched as he carries the responsibility of the Madridista attack in this crucial start to the year. As the match continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the refereeing decisions and the resilience of a Madrid side playing without its biggest summer signing.

Just at the begining in the second half, the young player scores again in the match. At the 49th minute, García received a lofted pass from Federico Valverde down the right flank, allowing Gonzalo to control the ball with his chest and finish with a volley from the edge of the box, scoring one of the most spectacular goals of the match.

Not only was Gonzalo García the standout performer against Betis, but Raúl Asencio also got on the scoresheet on the night in Madrid. A corner kick delivered from the right side gave Asencio the chance to score with a header.