Benzema gave Madrid the lead and was whistled for offside...

Karim Benzema, in the Champions League final, converted Real Madrid's first clear chance into a goal. After almost an entire first half dominated by Liverpool, 'Los Blancos' took the lead with suspense due to a possible offside by the Frenchman that was not offside, as the ball did not reach him from a teammate.

The Frenchman was presented with a high ball into the box, where he controlled it and cut back to a defender. He then extended the play into the box, where Konate failed to make contact with Fabinho and Alisson to clear the ball. There, Fede Valverde appeared between the three to try to recover the ball, which, after a couple of bounces, hit Fabinho's thigh before returning to Benzema's control.

The Frenchman then fired a low left-footed shot into the back of the net. He threatened to celebrate as the referee, as soon as the ball went in, blew for offside to allow the VAR to review it. The question was not only whether the No9 was ahead, but whether he had received the ball from Fede Valverde or Fabinho.

Perhaps because Valverde was involved in the play even though Fabinho was the last to touch the ball, the referee ended up confirming that Benzema was in an unlawful position. He was, by a few centimetres, further forward than Van Dijk, the defender who was marking the offside line in this bizarre play which, controversial or not, ended without a goal.

 

May 28, 2022