Nobody can dispute that El Clásico is one of the most exciting clashes in football. Adding to the prestige of Sunday's clash at the Bernabeu was the fact that, for the first time, spectators were able to see a 360° video board 'in action', which captured the attention of fans and media alike. How did the gem of Los Blancos' new arena cope in the midst of controversy?

Controversy, a ghost goal and dashed hopes

Twice Barcelona came out on top at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, but each time Real were able to pull away. Fatigue from the Champions League quarter-finals was evident from both teams, making the match full of mistakes and goal-to-goal action. The exchange of blows between Los Blancos and Blaugrana ended with a goal in added time by Bellingham.

Earlier, VAR had cancelled the goal, which the Spanish media described as gol fantasma (phantom goal). However, the cameras did not show a single shot that could conclusively prove that the ball did not cross the goal line with its entire circumference after Lamin Yamal's shot.

The lack of goal-line technology was also controversial. La Liga explains that VAR is sufficient to resolve any such situation and doubts are extremely rare. After Sunday's match, however, it will be difficult to support this argument. The reason could also be money - La Liga would have to pay around €4 million for the so-called Hawk Eye.

© bernabeu 

Debut of the second 360° screen in Europe

However, this wasn’t the only controversy. The rightness of getting a penalty after a foul on Lucas Vásquez or punishing Eduardo Camavinga with a yellow rather than a red card for a foul from behind were also disputed. Although it is difficult to judge who is right in these arguments, one thing is certain: the end result - 3:2 - means that the 36th league championship for Real Madrid is almost certain now.

There is another aspect of the result that was widely commented on both before and after the match. For the first time, the result was displayed on the new 360-degree video board, which showed not only the number of goals scored, but also a frame from the pitch and a clock. This is not the first such structure in Europe, however, as the same solution can be seen in... Krasnodar.

The screen was definitely to the liking of the spectators. Social media were awash with photos and videos with descriptions that spoke of it in glowing terms. On the X platform, there were comments that the screen looked like from a computer game, and that its inauguration during El Clásico was a hit.

When asked by Real Madrid TV about the stadium, fan cheering and the new 360º screen, coach Carlo Ancelotti replied: Impressive. The stadium is spectacular and there is a great atmosphere. It is a stadium that has given us and will give us many points. The commissioned screen is another part of the €2 billion spectacular redevelopment of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, which is likely to be completed by early 2025.

© bernabeu