Mundo Deportivo: Without VAR, Real would lead Barça by 8 points this season

According to Mundo Deportivo, if there were no VAR interventions, Real Madrid would currently be significantly ahead of Barcelona in the league title race, and the relegation battle would be completely reshaped.

The report states: “VAR is absolutely essential. The system continues to improve in terms of application standards and tactical-technical analysis mechanisms to address the current high rate of misjudgments. In the 2024–25 La Liga season, this technical tool successfully prevented what could have been an unfair title win for Real Madrid. Without VAR, the biggest beneficiary would have been Madrid—gaining yet another title they absolutely did not deserve. Furthermore, the relegation picture would look dramatically different, potentially destroying a team that was recently still contending for European qualification.”

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Key VAR Interventions That Changed Match Results

Round 3

• Villarreal 4-3 Celta Vigo (would be 3-3 without VAR):

Hugo Álvarez pulled down Tierno Barry in the box. VAR awarded a penalty, converted by Parejo in the 100th minute for the win.

• Atlético Madrid 0-0 Espanyol (would be 1-0):

Rodrigo Riquelme’s goal ruled out for offside after VAR review.

• Real Betis 2-1 Getafe (would be 1-1):

VAR spotted Milla’s handball in stoppage time. Lo Celso converted the resulting penalty for the win.

Round 6

• Osasuna 2-1 Las Palmas (would be 1-1):

A foul initially called outside the box was corrected by VAR to a penalty, converted by Budimir.

• Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Atlético Madrid (would be 0-1):

Palazón’s goal, wrongly ruled offside, was validated by VAR.

Round 7

• Mallorca 1-0 Real Sociedad (would be 0-0):

VAR awarded a penalty for a handball, converted by Prats.

Round 8

• Atlético Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid (would be 0-1):

Ángel Correa’s 96th-minute equalizer was initially ruled offside but validated by semi-automated VAR.

Round 9

• Girona 2-1 Athletic Club (would be 2-2):

VAR awarded Girona a penalty for a foul on Krejčí.

Round 10

• Villarreal 1-1 Getafe (would be 1-0):

VAR awarded a penalty against Albiol for pulling in the box.

Round 11

• Mallorca 0-0 Athletic Club (would be 0-1):

VAR found the ball had gone out before Nico Williams’ goal.

Round 12

• Barcelona 3-1 Espanyol (would be 3-3):

Two Espanyol goals were ruled out via VAR.

• Villarreal 1-1 Rayo Vallecano (would be 1-0):

VAR confirmed Álvaro García’s goal as onside.

Round 13

• Real Sociedad 1-0 Barcelona (would be 1-1):

Lewandowski’s goal ruled out for offside, although replays showed he may have been onside—raising controversy.

Round 14

• Las Palmas 2-3 Mallorca (would be 2-2):

VAR spotted Muriqi’s offensive gesture, leading to a red card. Earlier provocation only received a yellow.

• Osasuna 2-2 Villarreal (would be 1-2):

VAR awarded a penalty for Albiol’s foul.

Round 15

• Villarreal 2-2 Girona (would be 2-3):

VAR canceled Stuani’s offside goal. Girona would’ve won otherwise.

Round 16

• Real Betis 2-2 Barcelona (would be 1-2):

VAR awarded Betis a penalty for De Jong’s foul.

Round 18

• Valencia 2-2 Alavés (would be 1-2):

VAR awarded a penalty after a foul on Diego López.

Round 21

• Sevilla 1-1 Espanyol (would be 2-1):

Badé’s equalizer ruled out for a foul after VAR review.

• Alavés 1-1 Celta Vigo (would be 0-1):

VAR awarded a penalty for Bertrand’s handball.

Round 23

• Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético Madrid (would be 1-0):

VAR awarded a penalty against Tchouaméni.

Round 24

• Leganés 3-3 Alavés (would be 1-3):

Two penalties awarded after VAR review.

• Osasuna 1-1 Real Madrid (would be 0-1):

VAR awarded a penalty for a foul on Budimir.

• Barcelona 1-0 Rayo Vallecano (would be 0-0):

VAR found an obvious foul during a corner, leading to a penalty scored by Lewandowski.

Round 26

• Osasuna 3-3 Valencia (would be 3-2):

VAR validated Diego López’s offside-positioned goal.

Round 28

• Valladolid 0-1 Celta (would be 0-0):

VAR awarded a handball penalty.

• Mallorca 2-1 Espanyol (would be 1-1):

VAR ordered a retake of a missed penalty, which Muriqi converted.

Round 29

• Celta Vigo 1-1 Las Palmas (would be 1-2):

VAR wrongly ruled out a valid goal for nonexistent offside interference.

Round 30

• Real Madrid 1-2 Valencia (would be 2-2):

VAR canceled Diakhaby’s own goal due to Mbappé’s offside interference.

• Villarreal 0-0 Athletic Club (would be 1-0):

VAR canceled a goal for a handball.

• Leganés 1-1 Osasuna (would be 1-2):

VAR ruled out Toro’s goal for offside.

Round 32

• Barcelona 4-3 Celta (would be 3-3):

VAR awarded a stoppage-time penalty to Barça, converted by Raphinha.

• Las Palmas 1-0 Atlético Madrid (would be 0-0):

VAR reversed an offside call, validating the winning goal.

• Villarreal 2-2 Real Sociedad (would be 3-1):

VAR awarded a penalty and canceled another goal for offside interference.

Round 35

• Mallorca 2-1 Valladolid (would be 2-2):

VAR canceled an equalizer for offside.

• Leganés 3-2 Espanyol (would be 3-3):

VAR ruled out Espanyol’s equalizer for offside.

Round 37

• Las Palmas 0-1 Leganés (would be 0-0):

VAR reversed an offside call on the winning goal.

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La Liga Standings Without VAR (Hypothetical)

1. Real Madrid – 88 pts

2. Barcelona – 80 pts

3. Atlético Madrid – 77 pts

4. Athletic Club – 72 pts

5. Villarreal – 72 pts

6. Real Betis – 56 pts

7. Celta Vigo – 55 pts

8. Rayo Vallecano – 50 pts

9. Alavés – 47 pts

10. Real Sociedad – 47 pts

11. Osasuna – 46 pts

12. Girona – 44 pts

13. Sevilla – 43 pts

14. Valencia – 41 pts

15. Getafe – 40 pts

16. Espanyol – 40 pts

17. Mallorca – 37 pts

18. Las Palmas – 36 pts

19. Leganés – 31 pts

20. Valladolid – 16 pts