VAR once more made the headlines in the Champions League as a red card was overturned for Real Madrid after the referee referred to the technology in Tuesday's clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Zinedine Zidane's men had enjoyed a stellar first half at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Karim Benzema putting them 1-0 up after 17 minutes.
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Despite all their dominance, however, the hosts ended the opening 45 minutes facing a potentially game-changing reversal of fortunes.
Mauro Icardi broke clear of the Madrid defence and was clumsily brought down by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, albeit with the Argentine going down rather eagerly.
Referee Artur Soares Dias' first reaction was to show Courtois the red card, before deciding to consult with VAR over whether the foul took place inside the area - an outcome that would have seen a penalty given to PSG but the goalkeeper's punishment reduced to a yellow under the current guidelines.
But there was a further twist: VAR footage showed that much earlier in the build-up Marcelo had been felled by an illegal push, leading Soares to bring back play to that original infringement and overlook the subsequent foul on Icardi entirely.
There was no doubt that Marcelo had been fouled, but the bewilderment of the PSG squad in seeing a golden chance slip away was only matched by a flood of (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) criticism from confused social media users.
Plenty also agreed with the call and applauded VAR.
How much better is VAR with the ref being able to go over to a screen and make his own decision
— Andy Castell (@AJ3) November 26, 2019
That was an absolute madness in the Real vs PSG game, wiping out a penalty and a red card, but it was the correct decision in the end
VAR is an absolute joke. Courtois should’ve been sent off and a PSG penalty should’ve been awarded, instead he brings back a foul on Marcelo that wasn’t even a foul. Good thing I don’t like these teams. #RMAPSG
— John Kaye (@John_Kaye44) November 26, 2019
#VAR has hit and ALL TIME LOW!!
— Roberto Cervantes Jr (@Roberto_Jr17) November 26, 2019
💸💸💸💸💸 @realmadriden @PSG_English
🚨 INCREDIBLE! While the referee had whistled for the PSG and expelled Courtois, he was consulted the VAR and canceled the penalty for a foul of Gueye a few seconds before the middle of the field LIVE THE VAR 😂#RMPSG #UCL pic.twitter.com/wW9bEAoHSZ
— Hussein ADAMS (@Husseinadamsone) November 26, 2019
VAR destroying families in the Madrid vs PSG game
— Matt (@MGH) November 26, 2019
PSG was able to mount a comeback in a crazy five-minute period during the game to level at 2-2.
The result confirmed PSG top of the table and Real Madrid coming in second.
With Goal.com