Real Madrid's 4-1 victory against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu was once again shadowed by refereeing controversy. Sevilla expressed deep frustration after Madrid midfielder Arda Guler avoided a sending-off for an apparent elbow to an opponent's face while trying to break free. Just minutes after a brief VAR review declined to intervene, Guler scored Madrid's opening goal.

"Why didn't the VAR call the referee? Maybe because they don't go into the Clasico nine points behind." Sevilla coach Luis Garcia Plaza said.