What happened
Two minutes into the match at the Bernabéu, Vinícius Júnior was fouled by Matheus Nunes of Manchester City, and the referee initially awarded a penalty.
Replays showed the contact occurred outside the penalty area, prompting the official to reverse the decision and award a free kick instead.
Expert viewpoint
Iturralde González, the refereeing expert for AS, commented on the call: 'The foul was outside the area. According to protocol, the referee does not need to check VAR for this play; information is relayed directly from the video room.'
Vinícius then pleaded for a penalty again, claiming a handball by Nunes. González responded: 'Not a penalty; the ball touched his arm, but his hand was in a natural position and down by his side.'
Caption: The early decision and its reversal sparked discussion about officiating protocols, VAR workflow, and how a single moment can tilt a Champions League night.
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