Karim Benzema has UCL final goal disallowed by VAR ❌ | OneFootball

It took Real Madrid a long time to get going but they very nearly took the lead on the stroke of half-time in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Liverpool largely dominated the first half but just a couple of minutes before the interval, the ball was lashed in by Madrid striker Karim Benzema after a goalmouth scramble.

But the referee’s assistant’s flag quickly went up, with Benzema in an offside position beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

What followed was a painstakingly long VAR check, before it was eventually confirmed that the goal would not stand.

The argument in favour of allowing the goal was that the ball appeared to come off Liverpool’s Fabinho last, which would have played Benzema onside.

But the VAR appears to have decided that Fabinho’s touch was unintentional.

Controversial perhaps, but relief for Liverpool.