Vinicius reacts to controversial Madrid goal citing the Copacabana

Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory against Almería was surrounded by controversy at the Santiago Bernabéu. In addition to the posts on social networks by the clubs and several players, the different statements made by them in the mixed zone, the last seemingly to speak was Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius’ shoulder scores “golazo”

The Brazilian posted a moment from the play of his goal, the one that tied things up with Almería at 2-2, and defended that it was very much his legal shoulder and not his illegal arm that was involved. Referee Hernández Maeso didn’t initially agree with that but he was nudged towards the pitchside screen by Hernández Hernández in the VAR room. After the review, he corrected his decision and gave Los Blancos a crucial goal.

“Great goal!!!” noted Vini. “That’s how he always did it on Copacabana beach,” he added, suggesting that those type of shoulder goals were just part and parcel of the Samba box of tricks back in Rio de Janeiro.

VAR impact on Real Madrid and Almeria

The controversy surrounding refereeing also included another VAR review: the penalty handed to Jude Bellingham to get one back for Madrid. This was sanctioned against Kaiky for a handball in the area, with the claims of a previous foul by Rüdiger and Joselu in the same movement being ignored.

Hernández Hernández alerted the on-field referee after reviewing the footage, leading to the decision. It’s not the last we’ll hear of this.