Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was fuming about a controversial VAR decision during his side’s 1-0 loss to LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. The Argentine said LAFC deserved a red card and that the moment in question is “a red in China and on the moon.”
LAFC were fortunate not to go a player down when forward Nathan Ordaz was caught up in an off-the-ball skirmish with Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón. In the first half Ordaz was seen striking Falcón.
Mascherano VAR controversy vs. LAFC
Getting a little physical here between LAFC and Miami pic.twitter.com/Enx1a8O25V
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 3, 2025
Ordaz has been shown a yellow card pic.twitter.com/PZ4uQkxfZ2
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 3, 2025
Jamaican official Oshane Nation went to the VAR screen and decided that Ordaz’s actions were only worthy of a yellow card to the shock of just about everyone.
Ordaz would then go on to score the game’s lone goal in the 57th minute.
GOOOAAL LAFC!
Ordaz breaks the deadlock pic.twitter.com/M2IHT0Zou9— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 3, 2025
What a crazy game for the 21-year-old Ordaz who probably thought he was going to get sent off in the first half but can now claim he scored a game-winner to defeat Lionel Messi and company.
Mascherano was displeased with the referee’s decision and argued after the game that Ordaz should’ve seen red.
"I leave it to you for opinions, I just have to plan the game and try to give the tools to the players. You guys that see the game from afar should give an opinion," Mascherano said. “But I'll make it clear, an aggression without a ball is a red card, here and in China and the moon."
️Javier Mascherano on Ordaz not receiving a red card: “That is a red card in China. That is a red card on the moon.” pic.twitter.com/bz4MPSTlmP
— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) April 3, 2025
Inter Miami will host LAFC in the second leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.
