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| This is how Real Madrid tormented Palmas' defense | Photo: AFP |
Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu. A Real Madrid player first touched the ball after 28-30 seconds. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois collected the ball from the Real net!
The goal, scored by forward Fabio Silver 27 seconds before him, involved 31 touches and 11 passes from Las Palmas players. It was the fastest goal by a Palmas player from kick-off since the match began on TV. It was also the fastest goal by an opposing player since the start of a La Liga match at the Bernabeu. But what did it mean after the final whistle?
It was clear that no one in the gallery or on the field was calm like that even before Fabio Silva's goal. Not even the Real players. Perhaps it was the Silva goal that awakened the consciousness of Carlo Ancelotti's disciples—'Oh! We conceded a goal before we could even stand up properly!' If you watched the match, you know the rest. And if you didn't, it's good to say that the goal conceded made Real focus on the match, which is why Palmas had to concede four goals. Real won the match 4-1.
🏁 @RealMadrid 4-1 @UDLP_Oficial
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 19, 2025
⚽ 1' Fábio Silva
⚽ 18' @KMbappe (p)
⚽ 33' @Brahim
⚽ 36' @KMbappe
⚽ 57' @RodrygoGoes #RealMadridLasPalmas | @Emirates pic.twitter.com/KUWIDCTByr
However, the number '7' could have been on the Real side of the scoreline. 3 goals were disallowed. In the 42nd minute, Kylian Mbappe's goal from Rodrygo's pass was disallowed by VAR review, which would have otherwise been his hat-trick. The Real forward was offside. However, he scored two goals before that in the 18th and 36th minutes.
Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after Rodrigo Palmas was fouled in the box. From there, Mbappe equalized for Real Madrid in the 18th minute with a spot kick. His second goal in the 36th minute was the result of a great team finish. Real Madrid then went 3-1 up. Mbappe also played a role in Brahim Diaz's goal in the 33rd minute. After his shot was blocked by the Palmas goalkeeper, Diaz scored from a pass from Lucas Vázquez on the return ball.
After leading 3-1 at half-time, Real scored three goals. Two were disallowed. One by Jude Bellingham. Bellingham was ruled offside by a VAR review in the 73rd minute before the ball went into the net. The same was true of Fede Valverde's goal in the 86th minute. Rodrygo scored in the 57th minute. The Brazil winger scored after receiving Garcia's pass into the box. Palmas were reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute. Midfielder Benito Ramirez hit Real captain Vazquez with his boot. He was shown a straight red card.
Real Madrid are the only team in La Liga history to have three goals disallowed by VAR in a single match. But not in this match. It is worth mentioning that this is the second time that such an incident has happened to Real Madrid. Earlier, in 2022, Real Madrid had three goals disallowed by VAR in a match against Elche. With this win, Real Madrid moved to the top with 46 points from 20 matches. Atletico Madrid is in second place with 44 points from the same match.