How many times has VAR intervened in Madrid derbies and who has benefited most?

The third Madrid derby of the season is here, and with it comes one of the most heated, high‑stakes matchups in Spanish soccer — a rivalry where officiating debates are practically guaranteed. Over the past few years, both Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid have repeatedly questioned refereeing decisions, often accusing officials of favoring the other side. And once again, all eyes will be on VAR, the video‑review system that’s been part of LaLiga for several seasons but has played a surprisingly limited role in these derby clashes.

How VAR has influenced recent Madrid derbies

Since VAR was introduced, it has stepped in eight times during league derbies between Atlético and Real Madrid. The impact has been evenly split: four decisions benefiting Atlético, and four going Real Madrid’s way.

The first VAR intervention in a league derby came during the 2018–19 season, when Martínez Munuera alerted Estrada Fernández to overturn an offside call and award a goal to Antoine Griezmann.

The second came in the 2020–21 campaign. VAR official González González sent Hernández Hernández to the monitor to review a handball by Felipe inside the box. After checking the replay, the referee stuck with his original decision and did not award a penalty.

The third major moment arrived in the 2021–22 season. VAR recommended that Soto Grado review a grab by Vallejo on Cunha inside the area. A penalty was given, Yannick Carrasco converted, and Atlético walked away with all three points.

The 2023–24 season: a new wave of complaints

The 2023–24 derby at the Metropolitano sparked fresh controversy. Just four minutes, Samuel Lino delivered a perfect cross to Álvaro Morata for the opening goal. Real Madrid argued that the play should’ve been stopped for a foul by Mario Hermoso on Jude Bellingham, but the referee let it stand.

Near halftime, Toni Kroos floated a ball into the box that David Alaba headed off the post before Eduardo Camavinga buried the rebound. However, the goal was overturned because Antonio Rüdiger was in an offside position and deemed to be interfering with play — a decision Real Madrid strongly disputed.

The return match at the Bernabéu brought its own drama. In the 48th minute, Sánchez Martínez disallowed a Savic goal for offside due to interference by Saúl, who didn’t touch the ball but blocked goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s line of sight. Later, in the 60th minute, Real Madrid demanded a penalty after Savic brought down Bellingham in the box, but the referee waved play on.

The most recent VAR intervention in an Atlético–Real Madrid matchup came on September 27, 2025. Del Cerro Grande, working from the VAR booth, advised Alberola Rojas to overturn a goal due to an offensive foul by Clément Lenglet.

Last season’s flashpoints

As expected, last season delivered its own share of VAR‑driven controversy. In the first derby, played at the Metropolitano, VAR awarded Atlético a 96th‑minute equalizer from Ángel Correa after it had initially been ruled offside.

Moments later, VAR intervened again — this time upgrading Marcos Llorente’s yellow card to a straight red for a hard challenge on Fran García.

But the most unforgettable VAR moment came not in LaLiga, but in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg. During the penalty shootout, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak annulled a goal by Julián Álvarez for a double touch after being alerted by VAR — a decision that instantly became one of the most talked‑about calls in recent derby history.

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