Michael Oliver provoked the rage of Gianluigi Buffon and Juventus fans everywhere when he awarded Real Madrid a penalty in the dying seconds on Wednesday night.
The English referee adjudged Medhi Benatia to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in the box and Cristiano Ronaldo blasted the tie-winning spot kick high into the net.
Sportsmail’s Martin Keown and Chris Sutton give their verdict on whether Oliver made the right call.
Gianluigi Buffon was sent off for his aggressive protests at the late penalty at the Bernabeu
Brave referee showed he can handle big games
Yes. In many ways, Michael Oliver’s decision is the perfect example of why refereeing is so difficult.
It can be argued either way. By awarding Real Madrid a penalty, people are saying he crumbled under the pressure of the home crowd.
But if he had waved away the claims, many would have said he lacked bottle.
It was a brave decision. Other referees might have let it go, but he had the strength of his convictions to make the decision.
Michael Oliver was courageous to give the spot kick in the dying seconds of the game
There aren’t any English referees going to the World Cup this summer, but on Wednesday night Oliver showed he has the mentality to handle pressure in big games.
Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia was the wrong side of Lucas Vazquez. He rushed in, pushed Vazquez and was clumsy in trying to hook the ball away. He should have just waited.
Vazquez looked indecisive. Was he trying to chest it or was he going to stick his head where Benatia’s boot was? With a bit of patience, Benatia might have had the chance to win the ball cleanly.
Buffon may be a legend but red was the right call
Yes. I feel sorry for Michael Oliver. He got the decision right, but somehow he’s become the villain of the piece.
Mehdi Benatia was the wrong side of Lucas Vazquez and whenever you are in that position as a defender, you’re in trouble.
As for the red card, some people seem to think that because Gianluigi Buffon has been a great goalkeeper Oliver was wrong to send him off.
Medhi Benatia was adjudged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez in stoppage time
It’s his job to referee the game, not think about the reputation of players. Everyone would condemn a less famous goalkeeper for the sort of reaction Buffon showed, so why should Oliver dish out special treatment?
Referees come under fire so much from players, fans and pundits, so when they make the correct decision it’s only right we give them credit.