De Ligt controversial non-goal Real Madrid Bayern Munich betrayal

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich play a thrilling Champions League semi-final, but controversy arises with a late disallowed goal. Bayern furious.

The Champions League once again delivered an unforgettable match as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich clashed in a thrilling semi-final showdown across two legs. The intensity and drama reached a boiling point as the match ended controversially, with Bayern potentially denied a late equalizer that could have sent the game into extra time.

The pivotal moment came in the 13th minute of added time when Bayern's Matthijs De Ligt believed he had scored the crucial goal, only to have it disallowed for offside by referee Szymon Marciniak. The decision sparked outrage from Bayern players and coach Thomas Tuchel, who described it as a "disastrous" and almost a betrayal.

The sequence of events leading to the controversial call involved a close offside decision flagged by assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz as Bayern pushed for a late goal. Despite the contentious nature of the decision, the match ended with Madrid securing a 2-1 victory on the night and a 4-3 aggregate lead.

The use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in modern football has revolutionized the way offside calls are reviewed. However, in this case, the play had already been halted by the whistle before De Ligt's goal, preventing VAR from intervening. The aftermath of the match saw heated exchanges between Bayern players and officials as emotions ran high over the contentious call.

The fallout from the match highlighted the complexities of officiating in high-stakes games, with UEFA yet to provide a formal response to the incident. Tuchel and De Ligt expressed their frustrations with the decision, emphasizing the impact it had on the outcome of the match.

As the football world grappled with the aftermath of the controversial call, UEFA's guidelines on offside decisions and the role of assistant referees came under scrutiny. The need for precision and timing in raising the flag during offside situations was emphasized, highlighting the challenges faced by officials in crucial moments of the game.

Despite the controversy, Real Madrid emerged victorious and booked their spot in the final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium. The clash promises to be a thrilling encounter as two European giants battle for continental supremacy on June 1st. The stage is set for a memorable final as the drama of the Champions League continues to captivate fans around the world.