Fans claim Bayern Munich were ‘robbed’ by ‘awful’ decision to deny them a late equaliser in dramatic defeat by Real Madrid… as Paul Scholes criticises linesman for being ‘too hasty’

Bayern Munich were left raging after seeing a late equaliser chalked off for offside during Wednesday’s heartbreaking Champions League semi-final second leg defeat to Real Madrid.

The German giants were closing in on victory thanks to a rasping second half strike from Alphonso Davies but a quick-fire brace from Joselu crushed their dreams at the Bernabeu.

However, they almost took the game to extra-time as Matthijs de Ligt swept the ball home in the 13th minute off injury time.

There were to be no celebrations for the visitors as the linesman had raised his flag for offside before De Ligt had even struck the ball.

The official deemed that Noussair Mazraoui had been ahead of the line in the build up and didn’t allow the move the chance to play out for VAR to intervene and make the call after as has become custom. 

Replays showed it was an extremely close call and it looked as if Mazraoui had just about managed to hold his run. 

‘Disgraceful, inexplicable,’ wrote one disgruntled viewer on X while another labelled it an ‘awful decision’.

Another posted: ‘100 per cent a robbery that. Linesman doesn’t let it play out, flags for an incorrect offside and a legitimate goal is denied in the final minute.’

Paul Scholes, working as a pundit on TNT Sports, agreed with them as he said ‘I’m not sure it’s offside. For the linesman to put his flag up… he’s too hasty. He’s got to wait.’ 

De Ligt himself was clearly furious that his strike had not stood as he gave an interview following the match.

He said: ‘I don’t want to say that Real Madrid always has the referees with them but that made the difference today.

‘Real, when you think they are dead, have a last breath… that is why they have 14 Champions Leagues’, told Movistar.’

De Ligt then told beIN Sport: “The linesman told me: sorry, I made a mistake. It’s been a shame.”