Real Madrid-Bayern Munich UEFA Champions League semifinal ends with controversy
Real Madrid defeated Bayern Munich in a UEFA Champions League semifinal that ended with massive controversy.
Deep into stoppage time, and shortly after Real had staged a stunning comeback to take the lead, Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt appeared to have equalize the game at 2-2.
That would have sent the dramatic semifinal to extra time, but a quick whistle from referee Szymon Marciniak ended the play, which might not have even been offside. Because of the fast stop, VAR was not allowed to review the play.
Bayern couldn’t believe the outcome, and the match — and the club’s Champions League dreams — ended moments later.
"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
Earlier in the game, Joselu's second goal was first ruled out for an apparent offside, but the goal was given following a VAR check.
"We've seen it a lot of times this season when it looked as though we're dead and buried … it doesn’t matter who scores the goals but someone always manages it… that mentality of never say die," Jude Bellingham, who will play against his former club in the final, told TNT Sports.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Offsides controversy in UEFA Champions League semifinal