The decisions by Hernández Hernández under the spotlight.
The opening moments at La Cerámica Stadium were charged with controversy as Villarreal celebrated a goal that was ultimately ruled offside against Sorloth. This matchday analysis focuses on the key calls made by the referee on the third matchday of the competition.
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Around four minutes into the first half, Villarreal edged ahead through a finish by Sorloth. The Norwegian striker, who joined Villarreal this season after a stint with Real Sociedad, appeared to be in top form. Yet the goal was disallowed over an alleged touch from Capoue. The central question is whether the Villarreal midfielder touched the ball. If there was no contact, Sorloth was in an onside position and the goal should have stood on the scoreboard.
Ahead by a goal, the scales shifted quickly as Barcelona responded with two quick strikes, taking a 0-2 lead through goals from Gavi and Frenkie de Jong within the opening 15 minutes of the half.
By the 40th minute, Sorloth again found the net, this time with VAR involvement. The decision hinged on a few inches of positioning, with the knee reportedly further from Ter Stegen’s goal than Koundé’s last contact. The ruling sparked further discussion as the on-field and VAR interpretations diverged, prompting debate about the line that defines offside in this scenario.
That sequence intensified the conversation around officiating. The VAR team, led by Pizarro Gómez, referenced a knee as the critical marker, but replays suggested that Sorloth’s head could have been the furthest forward part, potentially placing him onside. The discrepancy became a focal point for fans and analysts watching the match unfold.
VAR’S CONTENTIOUS DECISION ON THE VILLARREAL GOAL
The VAR team, including Pizarro Gómez, set the knee as the reference point, while the most advanced part of Sorloth was his head, which would have put him onside in that instance.
Alexander Sörloth was judged offside, and the goal was rightly questioned by observers who argued it should have stood. A notable image and discussion circulated on social media highlighting the moment where the knee was used as the reference, contrasting with the actual offside line suggested by the top of his head.
—Fran Martinez (LaLigaenDirecto) showcased the moment, bringing attention to the decision and its implications for the match.
In the second half, the action shifted again. Early in the period, a potential penalty contact occurred in Alex Baena’s area as Robert Lewandowski pressed the issue. The referee chose not to point to the spot, and the VAR room did not relay a corrective instruction to the on-field official, leaving the dispute unresolved.
The episode reinforced the ongoing discussion about how VAR interpretations are communicated to the pitch and the degree of follow-through expected from the match officials when similar challenges arise.
Source: Goal