The recent 24th round of La Liga matches sparked intense debate as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) influenced several game outcomes. According to Spanish reports, key teams like Espanyol, Sevilla, and Getafe emerged as primary beneficiaries from VAR’s interventions.
Key Matches Affected by VAR
In three notable matches, VAR decisions led to significant changes:
- Espanyol had a goal disallowed, which transformed their match against Celta Vigo.
- Getafe secured a vital penalty that ultimately determined the outcome against Villarreal.
- Sevilla experienced a similar fate, with a goal canceled due to offside.
Despite the controversies, the outcome of the Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad match was less impacted, although Real Madrid felt aggrieved about not receiving a second penalty. This led to further discussions regarding VAR’s effectiveness.
La Liga Standings After Round 24 Without VAR
The La Liga standings have shifted significantly, revealing the potential changes if VAR had not been utilized:
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 62 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 59 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 46 |
| 4 | Villarreal | 44 |
| 5 | Real Betis | 40 |
| 6 | Celta Vigo | 35 |
| 7 | Real Sociedad | 34 |
| 8 | Espanyol | 33 |
| 9 | Osasuna | 30 |
| 10 | Athletic Bilbao | 28 |
| 11 | Elche | 27 |
| 12 | Alaves | 27 |
| 13 | Getafe | 27 |
| 14 | Valencia | 26 |
| 15 | Rayo Vallecano | 26 |
| 16 | Mallorca | 25 |
| 17 | Girona | 23 |
| 18 | Sevilla | 22 |
| 19 | Levante | 17 |
| 20 | Real Oviedo | 17 |
The Impact of VAR on La Liga
The implications of VAR have dramatically altered the trajectory of matches throughout the season. Key instances include:
- Espanyol vs. Celta Vigo: A goal overturned would have changed a 2-2 draw to a win for Espanyol.
- Getafe vs. Villarreal: A penalty awarded influenced the final score to reflect a 2-1 result.
- Sevilla vs. Alaves: A goal disallowed for offside would have given Sevilla a 2-1 victory instead of a draw.
These cases highlight the ongoing debates surrounding VAR’s role in football. The question remains: how would the standings look without its influence?
