Nations League Final: Mbappe’s ‘Offside Goal’ Sparks Debate

France on Sunday defeated Spain 2:1 in the 2021 UEFA Nations League in  San Siro, Milan to become champions.

The victory came from Kylian Mbappe’s 80th minute winner.

The goal has since the end of the game provoked debate with some footballers and analysts tagging it ‘offside.’

Luis Enrique, Spain’s coach said after the match,  “I want to congratulate France for the tactic of playing in white so that Mbappé’s offside goal has not been overturned by the referees.”

Meanwhile the referee’s correspondent Andújar Oliver said, “It is a legal goal, it is a correct goal. Eric Garcia intends to touch the ball, touches it and plays Mbappè onside. This is the rule. Three years ago they put this rule in place and the federations had to complain when they took it out.”

Sergio Busquets, the captain of Spain said, “the referee told us that Eric wanted to play the ball and that kills the offside. But he wanted to play the ball because the ball would have reached Mbappe who was offside! It doesn’t make sense!

“It’s unbelievable that this goal was approved…”

Spain’s Eric García, during the post math interview, said,  “Mbappe is offside. The referee tells me that I tried to play the ball. What should I do? Step aside and let him run? Apparently that’s the rule.”

The referee based his decision on a clause which stated, “A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage.”

But players and football analysts on micro blogging site, Twitter, have argued over the legitimacy of the goal.

@james_w_barber said, “Mbappe was definitely offside. Baffling how VAR has allowed this goal. Feels really unfair in Spain tbh.”

@DaleJohnsonESPN explained, “Interesting application of offside in the #UEFANationsFinal for Kylian Mbappe’s winner.
 

“It’s a decision which is correct in law to allow the goal, but one which many will feel should be disallowed in the spirit of the game. Mbappe is clearly offside when the pass is played.

“If Garcia missed the ball completely at this point, Mbappe would be offside and the goal disallowed.”

@GOATHabibi said, “I have a question: is trying to block and play the ball the same thing? Like here Eric was clearly trying to block the pass…”

@CaptnGuardiola said, “Mbappé wearing a white jersey, starting from an offside position behind a Barça defender & scoring a goal that was validated by the referee (for whatever stupid reason).”

_owurakuampofo said, “Wasn’t the offside rule changed after Rodri tackled Mings who attempted to control the ball?”

“How different is it from Mbappè’s tonight? Mbappè had an unfair advantage although Garcia attempted to intercept the pass.

“Besides, Garcia’s touch doesn’t start a new phase of play.”