Real Madrid vs PSG VAR Controversy: Thibaut Courtois sent off with a red card only for VAR to give Los Blancos a free kick during their Champions League encounter.
With both Real Madrid and PSG already assured a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League, their match is a top of the table clash to decide who ends up topping the group. Real Madrid lost their first leg encounter at Parc de Princess and look to extract revenge at the Bernabeu.
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Zinedine Zidane’s side took the lead in the 17th minute of the match through Karim Benzema. Eden Hazard started a deep run, going around 2 players before spreading to the right. Valverde then played a one-two with Carvajal before cutting it for Isco, who unfortunately struck the post instead. Benzema then pounced on the rebound and placed it in the corner to open the scoring.
With the game nearing half-time, the Spanish side looked set to carry their lead into the half-time. However, just like most matches this season, the Real Madrid vs PSG match has been marred by some more VAR controversy, with this perhaps being the worst possible instance so far.
Thibaut Courtois sent off with a red card only for VAR to give Los Blancos a free kick
In the 42nd minute of the match, PSG played the ball to Mauro Icardi who ran onto the ball as it entered the box. Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois ran out of his line and into Icardi’s path. However, he failed to reach there in time and bought the striker down.
Courtois was immediately shown the Red Card and signalled for a free kick. After replaying the incident, VAR awarded PSG with a penalty after noticing that the foul had taken place in the penalty area. However, the referee went to look at the replay and noticed a foul in the build up of the play on Real Madrid’s Marcelo and awarded a free kick to Real Madrid instead.
The most dramatic VAR reversal so far? A penalty is awarded to PSG and Thibaut Courtois is sent off only for the eventual decision to be… a free-kick to Real Madrid #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/ll9JuuymDG
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 26, 2019
#VAR needs to go! Ref gestures to play on! pic.twitter.com/yKsRMDIXB4
— Andrew (@welsba) November 26, 2019
This naturally elicited a negative response from most fans who couldn’t believe what they had just witnessed. Much of the criticism stems from VAR taking away the element of real time decision making.
42' | Absolute scenes. No penalty to PSG and no red card to Thibaut Courtois, but a free-kick to Real Madrid. VAR doing its job.#RealMadridPSG 1-0
— RMOnly (@ReaIMadridOnly) November 26, 2019
VAR is a load of shit!! PSG on the verge of getting a Pena with the keeper sent off. Looks at VAR and it a free kick to Real for something that happened well before it and that the ref waved off! #VAR #RealMadridPSG
— Alan O' Mahony (@OfficialAOM) November 26, 2019
Possible the biggest farce ever with VAR in the Real Madrid and PSG match, ref bottled it because it’s Real and gave them a soft free rather then sending off Courtois and a penalty to PSG
— John O Sullivan (@Corballyred) November 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/MiltonInter3/status/1199431317525544961
https://twitter.com/FutbolBible/status/1199429118598746119
At the time of writing, Real Madrid lead the match 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining in the match. A win here will reduce the difference between PSG and Real Madrid to a mere point. However, even then, a solitary goal in their next match will allow PSG to top their group.
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