Keith Hackett buzzing with punishment he saw in Man City’s win vs Real Madrid
Clement Turpin was spot on to award Man City with a penalty following a VAR review in the first half of their 2-1 Champions League win against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that VAR and match officials worked together to get a call correctly overturned following a recommended on-field review.
Prior to the match, Jurgen Klopp was included among many of the big names linked with the Real Madrid job after Xabi Alonso’s turbulent spell in the Spanish capital.
The Spaniard has struggled to maintain a consistent rhythm at the Santiago Bernabeu, leading to questions over his long-term future at the club.
Their opponents Man City headed into the match in Premier League title-winning form following a 3-0 victory over Sunderland, setting up a tantalising game against los Blancos as they prevailed 2-1 victors.
Antonio Rudiger panics as Erling Haaland wins penalty for Man City
In the 41st minute in an end-to-end match, Man City’s opening goalscorer Nico O’Reilly found himself down the left-hand side and whipped in a ball to threaten the Real Madrid backline.
The cross came in intended for Erling Haaland, who was bundled over by Antonio Rudiger, evidently seen hounding the attacker in a rather panicked style.
The German seemed to push the Norwegian over, which wasn’t picked out by Turpin, as play temporarily continued.
VAR then recommended an on-field review, which saw the French referee take just two glances at the replay to swiftly award a penalty.
Hackett finds VAR review ‘refreshing’ as correct decision made
The decision to award the penalty saw Haaland convert from the spot to put the Cityzens into the lead on the night, as the right call was made.
VAR has not always been the best at recommending reviews for referees, that to fans can appear to be clear and obvious errors, yet was efficient in arriving at the right outcome.
Hackett, exclusively speaking to Football Insider, was delighted by the overturned decision, saying: “It’s frankly refreshing to see a grappling offence getting punished with the penalty kick awarded.
“VAR was correct to intervene in what was a clear and obvious error by the referee. Sadly, we are becoming conditioned to grappling going unpunished.
“Correct decision by the referee after the on-field review.”