Real Madrid pulled off another stunning last-minute comeback victory against Bayern Munich to win 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate) in the Champions League semifinal on Wednesday. One major talking point is a late Bayern offside call.
In the dying seconds of the game with Real Madrid leading 2-1, Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he’d netted a dramatic equalizer. He’d be denied as the linesman raised his flag for an offside call just before his goal.
There was a catch. VAR couldn’t intervene because the linesman didn’t wait to let the play finish and raised his flag early, killing the play right then and there.
A look at the replay shows it was an incredibly tight call.
Bayern offside call vs Real Madrid
Someone explain to me why this was an offside against Bayern and the goal getting ruled out? https://t.co/ODGIE8tfFN pic.twitter.com/Aj8jVXBevM
— Ölele | DTS (@OleleSalvador) May 8, 2024
Matthijs de Ligt: “The linesman told me: sorry, I made a mistake”.
“It’s been a shame”, told @beINSPORTS_EN.pic.twitter.com/X4sjFu5As7— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2024
It’s absolutely bonkers that they’ve blown up and not allowed VAR to determine whether or not that was offside. pic.twitter.com/A4LYxOAC9L
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) May 8, 2024
"It's never a good day when the discussion truly is about a clear, critical error by the refereeing crew."
CBS Sports Rules Analyst @ChristinaUnkel joins the #UCLToday crew to discuss a crucial late call in Madrid pic.twitter.com/IIvOb9oVhs— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 8, 2024
| According to @beINSPORTS, Mazraoui was ONSIDE in the play that lead to De Ligt putting the ball in the back of the net. pic.twitter.com/sEUFx8y9Jw
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 8, 2024
Wow.
In this writer’s opinion Antonio Rüdiger looks to be playing Noussair Mazraoui onside before he heads the ball. It’s so, so, close.
Bayern might have been robbed, but we’ll never know.
Fans can agree that the offside protocols have been incredibly frustrating with the linesmen not raising their flags for plays that are a mile offside. The system advises the linemen to wait until the play is over to make a call.
In a situation this important and an offside decision that close, it’s unbelievable that the flag was raised that early against Bayern. The internet was pissed.
awful from the assistant ref to raise his flag at the end. you have been advised to allow the play to continue until the end. offside or not that is unforgiving from the linesman. fact > opinion
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) May 8, 2024
NO OFFSIDE
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 8, 2024
Ref: “Check if it was actually offside?”
VAR: “Nah.” pic.twitter.com/ykcbGLEapX— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 8, 2024
Shocking from the linesman that like. See people 5 yards offside and wait to put the flag up but someone who’s onside gets flagged in the last minute during a dangerous attack? Corrupt as fuck.
— KP (@paarsons) May 8, 2024
Oh my days Bayern were actually ROBBED
This is apparently offside on Mazraoui??? pic.twitter.com/R0oR9rOfP1— (@axelthfc) May 8, 2024
Real Madrid will advance to their second Champions League final in the past three years courtesy of two quick goals from Joselu.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich full highlights