Simeone slams VAR calls in Barcelona's controversial win vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone launched a scathing attack on refereeing standards after a VAR-dominated clash between Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona, where multiple contentious decisions shaped the outcome. The Atletico boss questioned the consistency of officiating after a red card, a rescinded dismissal, and several key calls went against his side in a controversial 2-1 defeat.

The result saw Barcelona move seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga following Madrid's earlier loss to RCD Mallorca. However, Simeone vented frustrations over inconsistency when it comes to referees using VAR, and how that affected Atletico's clash against the Blaugrana.

"We played very well in the first half, with chances at both ends, pressing well and creating opportunities, but then we had the sending-off, which was justified. We clung to a possible offside call, and in that situation VAR can't intervene for a second yellow card,"

Simeone cited another LaLiga game between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano, where a similar incident was adjudged in a completely opposite way.

"In the Betis-Rayo match, they said the same challenge was a red card when the ball went over the foot and stepped on it. So did they see it or not? They saw it," he added.

The Atletico coach's remarks come amid growing scrutiny over VAR interventions in Spain, with several clubs questioning the application of rules and the lack of uniformity in key decisions across matches, issues that have repeatedly influenced high-stakes fixtures in the title race.

MATCH TURNS AMID VAR DRAMA AND LATE TWIST

Barcelona capitalised on the chaos to secure a crucial victory at the Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico had started brightly, with Antoine Griezmann going close before Giuliano Simeone put the hosts ahead in the 39th minute after latching onto a long ball from Clment Lenglet and finishing past Joan Garca.

Barcelona responded just before half-time through Marcus Rashford, who drove past defenders and slotted home to equalise. The game's defining moment came when Nicols Gonzlez was sent off after his second yellow card was upgraded to a straight red for a challenge on Lamine Yamal.

Atletico's frustrations deepened when Gerard Martn had his red card overturned following a VAR review, a decision that further angered the home side. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Atletico continued to push forward, but Barcelona found a fortunate winner in the 87th minute when Joo Cancelo's shot was parried by Juan Musso straight onto Robert Lewandowski, with the ball ricocheting into the net.

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