Liverpool and Galatasaray Denied Goals in VAR Controversy During Champions League Match
In a dramatic and chaotic Champions League last-16 first leg, both Liverpool and Galatasaray saw goals controversially disallowed by VAR within minutes of each other, leaving fans and pundits debating the decisions.
First Disallowed Goal: Galatasaray's Osimhen Denied
The first incident occurred when Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen appeared to score from close range after a defensive error by Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate. However, the offside flag was raised against Baris Alper Yilmaz, leading to a VAR review. Replays showed Yilmaz was behind Liverpool's last defender when the initial ball was played, but he did not touch it in that phase. After a subsequent touch, Osimhen lifted the ball over goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with Konate failing to clear.
Despite Osimhen not directly impacting the play, TNT Sports co-commentator Steve Sidwell suggested Yilmaz interfered with Konate's attempt to regain possession, resulting in the goal being ruled out.
Second Disallowed Goal: Liverpool's Equaliser Overturned
Moments later, Liverpool thought they had equalised from a scrappy corner, only for VAR to intervene again. The review deemed that a handball offence was committed in the buildup to the goal. It appeared that both Konate and Virgil van Dijk handled the ball before it crossed the line, leading to the disallowance.
This double VAR verdict added to the chaotic scenes, with both teams feeling aggrieved by the officiating decisions.
Reactions and Ongoing Updates
The match, which took place on March 10, 2026, has sparked widespread discussion about VAR's role in football. Fans and analysts are questioning the consistency and impact of such calls in high-stakes games. As this is a developing story, further updates, including official statements and video analysis, are expected to emerge.
For now, the controversy highlights the ongoing debates surrounding technology in sports, with many calling for clearer guidelines on offside and handball interpretations in the Champions League.
