The reasoning behind why Erling Haaland’s opening goal for Manchester City against Real Madrid in their UEFA Champions League clash was permitted to stand has now been revealed.
On Tuesday night, the Champions League knockout stage saw defending champions Real Madrid take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in what was expected to be a high-intensity encounter. Despite a promising start from Carlo Ancelotti’s side, which saw them create several good opportunities to take the lead, it was City who struck first in the 19th minute, with Haaland finding the back of the net.
At first glance, the Norwegian striker appeared to be in an offside position, prompting a lengthy VAR check to review the goal. After a detailed examination, the officials ultimately ruled that the goal was valid, allowing City to maintain their advantage. However, the decision sparked controversy, with many fans taking to social media to express their disbelief.
Fans Outraged Over Decision
Many Real Madrid supporters and neutral fans were unconvinced by the ruling and voiced their frustration online.
One disgruntled fan wrote on social media:
“REAL MADRID ROBBED!!! Explain to me how this Erling Haaland goal was counted! You don’t even need machines here to draw the line—it’s clear he was offside!”
Another critic tweeted:
“Haaland was clearly off. How is that a goal? VAR City strikes again.”
A third fan echoed the sentiment, stating:
“Haaland was ahead of the ball.”
The controversy only grew as replays continued to circulate, with many believing the goal should have been ruled out.
UEFA Replay Confirms Onside Position
Despite the initial skepticism, UEFA later released a replay that clarified the situation. The footage demonstrated that Haaland was actually behind the ball at the moment of the pass, meaning he was onside and the goal was correctly awarded.
Spanish media outlet MARCA also provided further clarification, explaining on social media:
“There is the action that led to City’s goal. What is offside is the handball, and with that, you cannot legally finish. Therefore, it is a legal position.”
This explanation aligned with the laws of the game, which state that a player is only offside if they are ahead of both the last defender and the ball when it is played. In this case, Haaland’s positioning met the criteria for an onside goal.
Chris Waddle Praises City’s Brilliant Build-Up Play
While the controversy surrounding the goal dominated social media discussions, some experts focused on the quality of City’s attacking play. Former England international and Newcastle United winger Chris Waddle was full of praise for the move, highlighting the contributions of Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Waddle described the goal as a piece of brilliance:
“Absolutely class. Jack Grealish just dinks it into Josko Gvardiol, and he chests it down to Erling Haaland for the finish. What a wonderful move.”
Madrid Left Frustrated Before Half-Time
Following City’s opener, Real Madrid pushed forward in search of an equalizer before the break. The Spanish giants created some promising moments, with Kylian Mbappé coming closest to leveling the score. The French forward found himself in a dangerous position but failed to hit the target, sending his curling effort high and wide as the first half came to a close.
With the referee Clément Turpin blowing for half-time, Madrid found themselves trailing 1-0, knowing they would need a strong second-leg performance at the Santiago Bernabéu next week to overturn the deficit and keep their Champions League hopes alive.
What’s Next?
With City holding a slim advantage, all eyes will now turn to the return leg in Madrid. Ancelotti’s side will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to stage a comeback, while Pep Guardiola’s men will aim to build on their lead and secure a place in the next round.
As the debate over Haaland’s goal continues, one thing is certain—this Champions League tie is far from over.
Why Erling Haaland’s Goal Against Real Madrid Was Allowed to Stand Despite VAR Controversy
