Club Brugge’s Winner vs Barcelona Controversially Ruled Out – Rules Experts Explains Why

Barcelona averted an embarrassing Champions League defeat to Club Brugge on Wednesday night, thanks to a disputed VAR call, as they settled for a thrilling 3-3 draw in Belgium.

The two teams put on one of the most exciting games of the season, which finished with honors even after the final whistle blew at Jan Breydel Stadium. The Catalans avoided a crushing defeat, but English referee Anthony Taylor’s decision on a potential last-gasp fourth goal for Club Brugge remains unclear.

Barcelona came from behind three times on the night, with Nicolo Tresoldi opening the scoring and Ferran Torres equalising. Carlos Forbs restored his side’s lead in the second half, but a spectacular Lamine Yamal strike brought the visitors level once again. Just two minutes later, Forbs scored twice, but an own goal by Christos Tzilos made it three goals apiece.

Why VAR Denied Club Brugge the Win Against Barcelona?

The hosts felt they had pulled off an incredible triumph right at the end when Romeo Vermant stole possession from former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and buried the ball in the back of the net. However, VAR intervened, making Anthony Taylor the villain of the piece when he ruled that Vermant fouled Szczesny.
Club Brugge fans were enraged and chanted at UEFA and Barcelona, shouting ‘Mafia!’ Mafia! VAR reared its ugly head again. It saved the Belgian outift from one of their most historic victories at the expense of Hansi Flick’s Catalan giants.

Referee analyst Christina Unkel explained why VAR decided to rule Vermant out as a potential winner. She told CBS Sports’ Golazo,

“It technically is the correct decision. From an instinctual feeling, he pulls the ball back, there’s no contact from the attacker there, and you can tell that by the trajectory of the ball. Why I hesitate slightly on this is because without VAR, we have a gut feeling that’s on the keeper, he’s messing around with the ball, and we’re not going to save him from it. But when you have clear video tape that there’s no contact (with the ball), then yes, in the

Barcelona was fortunate to escape Bruges with a point, despite Flick’s men having 23 opportunities at goal during a frantic match. The Catalans, who were among the favourites at the start of the tournament, are now 11th in the league with seven points from four games, and will meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on November 25.