Video: VAR audio of Arda Guler’s disallowed goal vs Mallorca | OneFootball

Real Madrid had to fight hard to secure a 2-1 comeback win over Mallorca in their third La Liga match of the 2025/26 season.

Goals from Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr. within the space of a minute turned the game around, but the evening at the Santiago Bernabeu was dominated by VAR controversy.

The hosts had as many as three goals ruled out, each under different circumstances, which kept tensions high throughout the match.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned to the starting XI just a day after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, almost made an instant impact.

Within five minutes, he split Mallorca’s defence with a superb pass that put Kylian Mbappe through on goal. The French forward finished clinically, but the offside flag denied him an early opener.

VAR decisions spark debate

Mbappe’s frustrations grew before half-time as he saw another strike ruled out for offside. His eagerness to break the Mallorca backline cost him again, leaving Real Madrid with little reward for their attacking play.

The most dramatic moment came in the 55th minute when Arda Guler thought he had doubled Madrid’s lead.

After Franco Mastantuono’s effort was saved by Mallorca keeper, Guler bundled in the rebound.

However, referee Jose Maria Sánchez Martínez was advised by VAR to review the play, and after checking the monitor, he disallowed the goal for handball.

The audio of the decision, later released by the RFEF and LaLiga, added fuel to the debate. Pulido Santana, on VAR duty, told Sánchez Martínez:

“In my opinion, there was a handball, and in my opinion, there was a certain immediacy to the play.”

“The first thing I want to see is the position of the hand. Jose, look, in my opinion, the hand exists, and in my opinion, in the play, there is a certain immediacy.

“So, can you value the immediacy of the play? I have two images where the hand is appreciated, as I told you. Now it’s the immediacy itself. I want to see the hand and you leave it very still.

“The hand is accidental, immediate. I am going to cancel the goal.”

Despite the setbacks, Madrid showed resilience and secured three crucial points, keeping their strong start to the season intact.