VAR drama: Real Madrid benefit from controversial decision vs Ajax

‘VAR: Video Assisting Real Madrid?’

Ajax were controversially denied a goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday when VAR ruled it out for offside.

The Dutch giants hosted Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie in hope of taking advantage to the Bernabeu in the second leg.

Ajax started the game brightly and unexpectedly dominated proceedings.

They even thought they had made the breakthrough when they scored in the first half.

A Thibaut Courtois mistake gave Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico a chance to take the lead, with his header looping over the Belgian goalkeeper.

Though, while the Ajax players celebrated, the VAR got involved.

Is VAR still the answer?

That then lead to the referee looking at the incident himself on one of the VAR screens.

The goal was then subsequently ruled offside due to Dusan Tadic supposedly being in an offside position.

However, looking at the replays, the decision looked incredibly tight.

Many suggested that the goal should have stood and that Real Madrid had benefitted from a dodgy decision.

Ajax would go on to lose the game 2-1.

What makes this all even more interesting is that this was the first time VAR had been used in the Champions League.

It was also the first time a Champions League goal had been ruled out by VAR.

The system was in place for the game between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain but was not needed for any incidents during the clash.

Now, after it’s initial trial run got underway, people are already starting to question it.

Thibaut Courtois is a very lucky boy!

He drops a clanger, Ajax score, only to be saved by VAR.

It’s the first goal disallowed and overturned by VAR in Champions League history. pic.twitter.com/3cvukMUCvv

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2019

Social media reaction

Safe to say, many on social media thought the goal should have been allowed.

Others simply suggested that it was coincidental that Madrid would benefit from the first use of VAR in the UCL.

VAR = Video Assisting Real Madrid? #UCL pic.twitter.com/GSGpzy1Avp

— Goal (@goal) February 13, 2019

That the first ever decision made in the Champions League by VAR ends up being robbery that helps Real Madrid is completely fair and expected.

— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) February 13, 2019

Pls let’s remind ourselves what VAR simply means

VAR = Video Assisting Real Madrid #AjaxMadrid #ajax pic.twitter.com/Vo2acPkRRm

— Kumasi Coutinho {aqwasi panchark} (@Nana_Aqwasi_07) February 13, 2019

Ajax have been so much better than Real Madrid. VAR just ruled out what seemed to be a perfectly legitimate opener. Great game so far.

— Jonathan Fisher (@fishplums) February 13, 2019

They’ve added VAR, and yet UEFA are still doing their best to carry Real Madrid in the Champions League.

— DZ Football (@DZFootball_en) February 13, 2019

Notice what that VAR call has done to the stadium, to the fans, to this team. We are not looking like ourselves anymore. They gave Real Madrid exactly what they wanted after disallowing that goal.

— AFC Ajax (@TheEuropeanLad) February 13, 2019

Funny how when VAR was introduced to Champions League everyone said Madrid is finished but Madrid get a correct decision due to VAR in their first knckout game

— Sameh (@BigCasi14) February 13, 2019

Even if you think that’s a foul, it’s highly debatable. VAR is supposed to only be allowed to change the call on the pitch in the event of a clear error. How the f is that a clear error? Madrid’s champions league ways continue. Infuriating in its predictability.

— barcelonerd (@barcelonerd) February 13, 2019

In the least shocking news ever, Real Madrid are the first team to benefit from VAR in the Champions League. pic.twitter.com/OJthCxakpo

— 888sport (@888sport) February 13, 2019

Real Madrid and TBO have been saved by VAR. Point still stands; the Belgium has just been saved by a very, very dubious VAR decision.

— EiF (@EiFSoccer) February 13, 2019