Champions League first VAR controversy as Ajax have goal ruled out against Real Madrid

The first VAR decision in Champions League history was made on Wednesday night, with Ajax controversially having a goal disallowed at home to Real Madrid.

Ajax thought they had taken the lead after Nicolas Tagliafico captialised upon a mistake from Thibaut Courtois and headed the ball into the net.

However, the goal was subsequently ruled out, with referee Damir Skomina using VAR to deem that Ajax’s Dusan Tadic was in an offside position. 

Skomina took his time to assess the footage, and the decision was certainly a difficult one to make, with it not being entirely clear whether Tadic was offside. 

Boos rang out from the Ajax supporters at the Johan Cruyff Arena after Skomina made the decision.

Real Madrid won 2-1, with Marco Asensio hitting the winner after Karim Benzema had earlier found the net. Hakim Ziyech scored Ajax’s goal.  

Ajax’s Dusan Tadic was deemed to be offside by referee Damir Skomina, who reviewed footage

Skomina consulted VAR before making his decision, which was booed by Ajax supporters

Speaking after the game, Courtois revealed that he felt Skomina made the right choice in disallowing Tagliafico’s effort.

Courtois told BT Sport: ‘I think it was the right decision, when it happened I thought maybe offside.

‘It was a mistake by me but I went to go and catch it and Tadic made an attempt to shoot, yet didn’t touch it, and as he’s offside he’s offside.

‘Because of his intention I made a quick movement and the ball bounced on my arm. It was an unlucky goal for me to concede but when I saw the screen I saw a possible offside.

‘I think it was the correct decision and luckily for us there was VAR because otherwise nobody would have seen it.’

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois felt the decision to disallow the goal was correct

However, Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag was bemused by the decision.

‘Why was it disallowed? I heard several reasons, offside, hindering the goalkeeper. But I have not seen it,’ he told De Telegraaf.

‘We dominated, forced many chances, but scored too little.

‘Real never allow many possibilities. This was perhaps our best game of this season.’ 

Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag was left bemused by the decision to disallow the goal

VAR is being used in the Champions League for the first time in the knockout stages of this season’s competition.

There were no major incidents in Tuesday’s games as Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester United and Roma got the better of Porto. 

Ajax were left frustrated that they weren’t able to go into the break into the lead having produced an impressive first-half display.