Revealed: VAR has disallowed more than twice as many Real Madrid goals as Barcelona’s since 2018

According to a report by Madrid Universal on Tuesday October 13, 2026, Real Madrid have had more than twice as many goals disallowed by VAR as Barcelona since the technology was introduced in La Liga during the 2018/19 season, according to statistics reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Los Blancos have seen 42 goals overturned following VAR interventions, making them the most affected club in the Spanish top flight. Barcelona, meanwhile, have had 19 goals disallowed, leaving a difference of 23 between the two rivals.

Atletico Madrid and Villarreal are joint second in the ranking, with 22 disallowed goals each, while Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad and Sevilla have recorded 20 apiece.

Madrid’s latest incident occurred during their 1-0 victory over Villarreal, when Vinicius Junior thought he had doubled his side’s advantage. However, a VAR review identified an earlier incident in which the Brazilian winger pulled defender Nathan Saliba’s hair, resulting in the goal being ruled out and Vinicius receiving a straight red card.

The figures have added to the ongoing debate surrounding refereeing decisions in Spanish football, with Real Madrid increasingly demanding greater consistency in the application of the rules.

However, the statistics do not necessarily prove that the club have been unfairly treated. Madrid’s attacking approach, which frequently involves quick transitions and forwards making runs behind opposition defences, could contribute to more VAR interventions, particularly in offside situations.

The total number of disallowed goals also needs to be considered alongside each club’s overall scoring record and the reasons behind individual decisions.

Nevertheless, Madrid’s concerns extend beyond the number of goals overturned. The club have questioned why seemingly similar incidents can produce different outcomes in different matches.

With controversy surrounding recent decisions against Vinicius and other Madrid players, the statistics are likely to intensify discussions about the consistency of refereeing and VAR in La Liga.

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