VAR again has a decisive say

– Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio (above) scored a late winner in a 2-1 victory at Ajax Amsterdam, who were left to rue a goal disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in their Champions League last-16, first leg on Wednesday.

Asensio netted in the 87th minute from Dani Carvajal’s cross to give Real the advantage heading into the return leg on March 5.

Karim Benzema swept holders Real into the lead in the second half, before Hakim Ziyech scored a deserved equaliser for an energetic Ajax, who created more than enough chances to win comfortably on the night.

They were also denied a firsthalf opener when Nicolas Tagliafico headed home only for the goal to be chalked off after a VAR check in a Champions League first as Dusan Tadic was judged offside.

Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, whose blushes were spared by the VAR decision after his error led to the disallowed goal, felt the officials got it right.

“The correct decision? I think so,” he told reporters. “When it happened I thought it could be offside. When the guy headed it I wanted to go and catch it.

“Because of his (Tadic’s) intention I made a quick movement. Luckily for VAR because nobody would have seen it.”

Sergio Ramos, making a 600th appearance for Real, backed the intervention of VAR and warned Ajax they will face a daunting task in the second leg.

“I have said many times that I am a great defender of the VAR because it will make football fairer little by little,” Ramos said.

Benzema put Real in front when he netted on the hour mark, but Ajax got the goal their play deserved with 15 minutes remaining as Ziyech side-footed home after a sweeping move.

Yet Asensio had the final word, scoring at the far post from Carvajal’s cross.

“As a team we did well, it was too bad that our goal was rejected. Perhaps something like that is easy to do in favour of the big club,” Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong said. –