Why Karim Benzema’s Champions League Final Goal Was Disallowed

Real Madrid's first goal of the match was waved off after VAR review.

Near the end of the first half of the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool, Karim Benzema appeared to score the first goal of the game and put the Spanish club up entering halftime. However, after VAR review, it was determined that Benzema was offside and the goal did not stand.

The goal was scored after a scrum in front of the Liverpool goalmouth in which midfielder Fabinho failed to clear the ball. The ruling was that while Fabinho was the final player to touch the ball before Benzema’s goal, he didn’t “deliberately” touch the ball when Benzema was in an offside position.

NO GOAL! Karim Benzema had a would-be opener chalked off, and after a lengthy VAR review, the call is upheld over an offside call following a chaotic sequence in the Liverpool box. Still 0-0 in the #UCLfinal

(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/xyyqNhsOAZ

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) May 28, 2022

Since the critical call was made on an odd rule, and there was an element of judgment, it led to a fierce discussion on social media of whether the officials were right or wrong. 

"Liverpool dominate then Benzema scores Real Madrid's first chance" was such obvious plotting that VAR had to rewrite the script.

— Grace Robertson 🏳️‍⚧️ (@GraceOnFootball) May 28, 2022

Not liking the “deliberate” touch call on that one. I’m seeing Konate intentionally tackle the ball into Fabinho and then goes to Benzema. #UCL Goal for me!!!

— Cobi Jones (@cobijones) May 28, 2022

How is that not a goal?
I’m glad Peter Walton cleared it up for us 🤣
The rule clearly doesn’t make sense because when would a Liverpool player ever intentionally play Benzema the ball ? 🤷🏻‍♂️
The fact it’s come off a Liverpool player surely means it’s a Goal?

— John Terry (@JohnTerry26) May 28, 2022

VARpool paid the refs… that’s a goal

— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 28, 2022

You didn’t really think Ceferin and UEFA would let one of the Super League ring leaders who tried to destroy them win the Champions League? 🤣

That Benzema goal should stand. Konate deliberately plays it so Fabinho not deliberately playing it doesn’t matter.#UCLfinal

— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) May 28, 2022

However, other analysts and officials believe the referees got the call correct.

Thierry: offside.@MicahRichards: offside.@Carra23: offside.

The crew have had their say.  👀 pic.twitter.com/Xh3vv4AGmf

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 28, 2022

Real Madrid ended up scoring the game’s opener anyways, thanks to a Vinícius Júnior strike in the 59th minute.

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