Janice R. Andrews
Erling Haaland’s goal against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase sparked intense controversy, with Los Blancos players and fans arguing it should have been ruled offside. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was upheld, leaving many questioning the decision.
The match, played on February 11, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium, saw Manchester City take an early lead in the 19th minute through Haaland’s strike. The goal, however, was immediately met with protests from Real Madrid, prompting a nearly five-minute VAR review to determine whether the Norwegian forward was offside when Josko Gvardiol played the ball.
Under FIFA’s offside rule, a player is considered offside if any part of their head, body, or feet is closer to the opponent’s goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender at the moment the ball is played. In this case, VAR officials confirmed that Haaland was either in line with or behind the ball when Gvardiol made the pass, making him onside.
The extended review also addressed concerns about Haaland’s hand being ahead of the defensive line. However, since a player cannot score with their hand, this did not constitute an offside offense. The semi-automated offside technology used in the Champions League ultimately supported the decision to allow the goal to stand.
Despite City’s early lead, Real Madrid staged a stunning comeback. Kylian Mbappé equalized in the 60th minute, capitalizing on a rebound from a free kick. Haaland restored City’s lead with a penalty in the 80th minute, but Brahim Díaz leveled the score again in the 86th minute. Jude Bellingham then sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory for Real Madrid with a late winner, leaving City with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
The result puts Manchester City in a challenging position as they head to the Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg. To stay in the competition, they must overturn the deficit against a resilient Real Madrid side. However, City’s hopes are not entirely dashed. Real’s defense has been weakened by injuries, with key players like Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal sidelined. This could provide Guardiola’s men with an opportunity to exploit defensive vulnerabilities.
As the two European giants prepare for the second leg, the controversy surrounding Haaland’s goal adds another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling Champions League tie. Fans worldwide will be eagerly watching to see if City can stage a comeback or if Real Madrid will continue their quest for European glory.
