What the LaLiga Table Would Look Like Without VAR After Matchday 16

The 2025/26 LaLiga table would look markedly different without result-altering VAR interventions.

Real Madrid would still have the title race in their hands, while Athletic Bilbao would have been a lot closer to the relegation zone.

How VAR Has Shaped LaLiga Table After Matchday 16

Just 16 Gameweeks in and VAR interventions have already significantly influenced the LaLiga table. Offsides have been the most commonly overturned decisions this year, while handball calls have also been a point of contention.

So far, there have been six offside calls that have caused a swing of points. There were a couple of VAR interventions in Saturday’s Barcelona-Osasuna game, which Barca won 2-0, but they did not materially change the final outcome.

Real Madrid, in particular, have been very vocal about some of the VAR decisions that have gone against them. Without VAR, Los Blancos would have still been behind Barcelona, but by two points instead of four.

👐 pic.twitter.com/u48Lq0sn6o

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 14, 2025

In Gameweek 14, Kylian Mbappe had his goal ruled out due to a handball in the build-up. Los Blancos dropped two points in that game, as Girona held them to a 1-1 draw.

The game put more pressure on Xabi Alonso, who faces an uncertain future in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid have shortlisted managers who could fill in for Alonso if he is sacked mid-season.

LaLiga leaders Barcelona, meanwhile, have neither suffered nor benefited from VAR interventions this year. Even without VAR, Barca would have had 43 points to their name.

LaLiga Teams Most Affected By VAR Calls This Season

Real Madrid’s two-point swing could very well end up being decisive in the title race, but they have not had the worst of it. Real Sociedad have suffered the most because of VAR interventions, losing five points in 16 games.

On Matchday 1, they would have beaten Espanyol 2-1 had it not been for Puado’s repeated penalty. The game instead finished 2-2.

Again on Matchday 9, Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner against Celta Vigo was ruled out due to offside. Without VAR, Sociedad would have secured three points instead of just one.

They also lost 1-0 to Deportivo Alaves on Matchday 14, which would have finished 0-0 without VAR.

The art of never giving up. pic.twitter.com/WH9R4DQpq2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 10, 2025

On the other end of the spectrum sit Athletic Bilbao. Ernesto Valverde’s side have scored 23 points this season from 17 games. Without VAR, they would have had only 17.

On Matchday 2, Oihan Sancet’s VAR-intervened penalty allowed Athletic to secure a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, giving them a two-point boost.

In Gameweek 8, Inaki Williams won a penalty, which the Basque side converted to beat Mallorca 2-1, securing two more points. Lastly, Real Oviedo saw their goal annulled in the 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao on Matchday 12.

With six points removed, Athletic Club, who are currently in seventh place, would be 15th in the table.

Full 2025/26 LaLiga Table Without VAR