While we’d love for the VAR to fix all of soccer’s officiating problems, the truth is that it hasn’t really curbed one of the game’s most frustrating problems: simulation. Because any bit of contact can be picked up by the VAR, players are almost rewarded for going down under slight contact.
But there has to be that contact, and if there is none, VAR will undoubtedly punish any offender trying to fool the refs.
Such was nearly the case for this shocking Getafe dive against Atlético Madrid on Saturday, except the guilty party played it off so quickly he escaped any punishment.
Getafe managed to hold off Atleti to steal a 0-0 draw against the league leaders, perhaps fortunate karma didn’t come for them after a horrible first-half flop.
Getafe Dive vs. Atlético Madrid
Just before halftime, Getafe was threatening to score the game’s first goal.
The play began with Carles Aleña’s shot being fumbled a bit by Jan Oblak, who usually does better. Getafe’s Nemanja Maksimović beat Oblak to the rebound and then immediately fell to the floor, seemingly wanting the coveted Fallon d’Floor award.
The Serbian, upon realizing he wasn’t actually sniped to the ground, immediately picked himself up and played a nice cross for Cucho Hernández to acrobatically send over the crossbar.
The only reason Maskimović wasn’t shown a yellow for simulation was for how quickly he amended his mistake. That said, it was egregious enough that I don’t think many would have complained had he been booked — Oblak wasn’t anywhere close to touching him.
That's a dive.#GetafeAtleti pic.twitter.com/EPVAXKTbXE
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 13, 2021
League-leading Atlético couldn't to put away 15th-place Getafe, even after Allan Nyom was shown straight red (thanks to the VAR), giving the visitors a man advantage for the final 20 minutes.
João Félix thought he had the opener only to see the AR raise his flag not for offside but the ball going out of bounds first.
Joao Félix ya cantaba el gol del @atleti pero la pelota había salido ante y el visitante se quedó sin el gol pic.twitter.com/LlH8D4CcQp
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 13, 2021
Keeper David Soria repeatedly came up with big saves to deny Atleti, including this stop on Moussa Dembélé. Ray Hudson said Soria deserves a medal the size of a frying pan for his performance.
INCREÍBLE ATAJADA DE DAVID SORIA pic.twitter.com/c37zYw82RV
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) March 13, 2021
In the 83rd minute, Luis Suárez had a lovely chip over Soria strike the post and it was clear Atlético would not score on Saturday.
SUAREZ SO CLOSE!!!#GetafeAtletipic.twitter.com/g6f999qsBF
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) March 13, 2021
