Refereeing scandal! Referee disallows a clean goal in Barcelona's net?
Champions League nights in Istanbul rarely pass quietly, and Tuesday's clash between Galatasaray and Barcelona is proving no exception. With the hosts leading 1-0 at Rams Park, the Turkish side thought they had doubled their advantage just before the interval, only for VAR to intervene and wipe the goal off the board.
Details: Broadcast pictures showed the scoreboard briefly reading 2-0 after Galatasaray put the ball in the net around the 35th minute, but a lengthy 'GOAL CHECK' review followed. The decision came back: no goal. The scoreboard reverted to 1-0, and the entire move was chalked off after the video officials ruled an infringement in the build up, with offside indicated on the broadcast.
The timing could hardly have been more dramatic. Barcelona arrived in Istanbul boasting a perfect record of nine wins from nine this season, the best start to a campaign in the club's history, and were heavy favourites against a Galatasaray side beaten 3-1 by Sporting CP on matchday one. Instead, Hansi Flick's team found themselves chasing the game before half time and were then thrown a lifeline by the video room.
For Galatasaray and their famously fierce home support, the disallowed goal was the cruelest kind of VAR theatre. The stadium had already erupted in celebration when the net rippled, and the long check only sharpened the agony before the decision flashed up on the big screen, turning jubilation into fury inside seconds.
The controversy lands in the middle of a spicy backdrop. Just days ago, Guti claimed on Spanish television that Barcelona 'haven't yet played against any strong team' this season, questioning whether Flick's side would truly fight for the Champions League. The Catalans are also without Raphinha in Istanbul, the Brazilian having been ruled out with a muscle problem picked up on international duty.
It's worth noting that this article is being written while the match is still in progress, so the final verdict of the night, and the full explanation of the VAR decision, is still to come. But one thing is certain: the drama at Rams Park is far from over.
Reminder: Bad news for Barcelona! Will Raphinha play in the next match?
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
