Real Madrid criticized the referee for not awarding them a penalty in Saturday’s 3-3 LaLiga draw at Rayo Vallecano, describing it as “a game they could have won”.

Madrid trailed 2-0 in Vallecas thanks to early headers from Rayos Unai López and Abdul Mumin before Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham equalized to make it 2-2.

Rodrygo gave the visitors a second-half lead and Isi Palazón equalized for Rayo eight minutes later as Madrid had to settle for a draw, leaving them a point behind leaders Barcelona at the top of the table.

After the game, the LaLiga giants published a match report on social media and the club’s website with the headline “Controversial referee denies Madrid victory”, criticizing referee Juan Martínez Munuera’s decision not to award a penalty for Moomin’s foul Vinícius Júnior to impose in the second half.

“The most controversial move of the game occurred in the 75th minute,” says the club report. “Vini Jr. was clearly brought down by Moomin in the penalty area, but Martínez Munuera did not award a penalty and there was no warning from (Pablo) González Fuertes, the VAR referee.”

Madrid has frequently criticized the referees’ performance this season, regularly airing videos on the club’s television channel, Real Madrid TV, highlighting the referees’ errors.

“When I saw the replay, the penalty seemed very clear to me,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti in his post-match press conference, while praising his team’s overall performance.

“There are draws and there are draws. The draws against Mallorca and Las Palmas (in August) were completely different to this draw… We are on the right track.”

“The draws in Mallorca and Las Palmas made me nervous, but not this one,” Ancelotti added. “I thought it would be very difficult for us (this season) to find the balance and attitude, but we found it. We have the same attitude as last year, the same commitment, the same quality.”

“Rodrygo came back today. (Eduardo) Camavinga has come back. (David) Alaba will come back. I’m starting 2025 with a lot of enthusiasm. We’re fighting for everything.”

Ancelotti pointed out that Madrid had been without a number of first-team regulars due to injury at the start of the game against Rayo, including Kylian Mbappé, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal, while Vinícius was on the bench.

“(Vinicius) wasn’t in the starting line-up because he hasn’t played 90 minutes since his injury,” Ancelotti said. “We preferred him to play the second half, which is perhaps less intense. He played a good game.”

Madrid are in action on Wednesday where they face Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.