Real Madrid into quarter-finals; PSG blame VAR for Champions League exit
On Wednesday, Mauricio Pochettino slammed match officials and questioned why VAR was not used to rule out Real Madrid’s first goal against Paris Saint-Germain in their 1-3 loss.
The French side were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League in sensational circumstances, losing 2-3 aggregate after having won the first leg match 1-0.
The Ligue 1 leaders looked set for the last eight after Kylian Mbappe had put them 2-0 up on aggregate with a cool finish in the first half.
Real Madrid, and Karim Benzema in particular, had other ideas, though.
The France international scored a breathtaking hat-trick —- the second and third of which came inside the space of just 106 seconds —- to book Los Blancos’ quarter-final berth.
PSG have now been eliminated from four of their nine UEFA Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg.
Only Real Madrid have done so more often in the competition’s history (six times).
Pochettino will be under intense pressure after the defeat.
The former Tottenham manager believed the result only came about due to the officials’ decision not to penalise Benzema.
That was for a foul on goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the build-up to the first goal.
“What a shame! There was a foul on Donnarumma for the first goal,” he said. “It is not possible to not talk about this gross mistake. It is not possible for this to happen in 2022. Real Madrid’s first goal changed the game. I wonder what the VAR does because there is a foul. It’s a shame. When you see the action, it’s a foul.
“After that, the match changed. For 60 minutes, we dominated, and that goal changed everything.”
With a 13-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit, PSG look likely to reclaim the domestic title. But Pochettino concedes that the campaign’s final months could be challenging, given they are no longer in European football’s premier competition.
“The rest of the season is going to be very difficult,” he added. “The Champions League has been PSG’s goal for years. Everyone knows it. The fans are going to be upset. We know it. “At a time like this, we will still have to analyse and remember the good things we have achieved against this excellent Real Madrid team. But what happened tonight is not normal.”
PSG return to domestic action on Sunday when they host Bordeaux.
(dpa/NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
Politics
Russia-Ukraine War: UK seizes Chelsea from Abramovich, freezes other assets
“I know this brings some uncertainty, but the government will work with the league and clubs to keep football being played…”
Politics
Buhari forced me to be governor; he can insist I run for president: El-Rufai
“I’m physically tired because I do take my work seriously. For the last eight years, I’ve worked myself flat out, and I’m not young anymore.”
Politics
APC holds emergency NEC meeting March 17
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed March 17 for an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Economy
NURTW suspends MC Oluomo
MC Oluomo’s suspension was contained in a letter signed by the general secretary of the NURTW, Kabiru Yau, accusing him of incitement to violence.
World
UN, others condemn Russia for bombing maternity hospital
Seventeen pregnant women and employees were injured in the bombing, said Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk Oblast military administration.
World
Russia-Ukraine war will end after Putin and I talk directly: President Zelensky
“In any negotiation, my goal is to end the war with Russia,” explained Mr Zelensky. “I am also ready to take certain steps.”
