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Real Madrid News Revealed: What the VAR official told the referee to overturn penalty against Real Madrid Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu. The result kept Jose Mourinho’s side top of the pile with three wins from three, though the game was not without a moment of controversy late on. That came in the form of a VAR intervention, which saw a penalty initially awarded against Real Madrid subsequently overturned. What the VAR official said The incident occurred in the 84th minute, when referee Juan Martinez Munuera pointed to the spot for a handball by Yan Diomande following a clearance from Antonio Rudiger. However, Martinez Munuera was quickly advised to review the decision by VAR official Daniel Trujillo Suarez. “Juan, I recommend a review for you to analyse a potential cancellation of the penalty,” came the message from the VAR room, as captured by Movistar+. Once at the monitor, the officials talked through the passage of play. It was explained that Rudiger had been the first to head the ball, with the referee then confirming his change of mind. “Okay, it is Rudiger, it is Rudiger who heads towards Diomande. Okay, perfect. Cancel penalty, I cancel penalty,” Martinez Munuera said. A correct call per the new guidelines The decision to overturn the penalty aligns neatly with this season’s updated CTA guidelines on handball. The new manual makes clear that it is not a penalty when the ball touches the arm of a defender after having bounced off another part of the body, another player or the ground, arriving unexpectedly following a change of trajectory. In this instance, with the ball having come off Rudiger’s header before striking Diomande, the contact was deemed accidental and unpunishable under the revised interpretation. It ensured Real Madrid’s clean sheet remained intact, capping a routine afternoon for Mourinho’s men. With their flawless start now extended to three straight victories, Real Madrid have laid down an early marker in the title race, and will look to carry that momentum into their trip to face Real Betis. Real Madrid News Brazilian international ready to fight for his place in the team under Jose Mourinho Real Madrid have had a splendid start to the new season under Jose Mourinho, racking up three wins in three matches. Players like Jude Bellingham and even Federico Valverde seem to have found a new lease of life under Mourinho, and everything seems to be working, particularly in the attack. To make things even better, Real Madrid are slated to have Rodrygo return to full fitness sometime around the turn of the year, making things even more competitive in the frontline. Rodrygo determined to fight for his place As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Rodrygo remains fully committed to the team despite the increasingly crowded competition for places, showing a great attitude. The Brazilian’s situation at Real Madrid is far from straightforward, particularly following the club-record arrival of Yan Diomande. On the right wing, Rodrygo faces competition from Diomande, Brahim Diaz and even Endrick, making a starting berth there difficult to come by. As a result, his most feasible route into the side may be as an alternative to Vinicius Jr on the left flank, though Diomande could also feature there given it is the Ivorian’s preferred position. Either way, Rodrygo appears determined to compete rather than accept a diminished role. A difficult path to the starting eleven The challenge for Rodrygo is that breaking into Mourinho’s side has rarely looked tougher. Everything the Portuguese has tried so far has worked, with Real Madrid winning all three of their opening games in convincing fashion. That makes it hard for any returning player to force his way in, let alone command a regular starting spot. By the time Rodrygo is back, Mourinho will likely have an even clearer idea of his best eleven and how his system functions, which could see the Brazilian initially used as a rotation option behind Vinicius on the left. It remains too early to know exactly how Mourinho will reintegrate Rodrygo and help him rediscover his best form. What is clear, however, is that the Brazilian is ready to embrace the challenge and fight for his place, rather than let the strength of Real Madrid’s attack push him to the fringes.