Sevilla captain disputes Modric’s winning goal

Following Real Madrid’s narrow 1-0 victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu, Jesús Navas, the Sevilla captain and right-back, expressed his disapproval regarding the legality of the winning goal.

Navas claimed that Antonio Rüdiger, a Real Madrid defender, was in an offside position in the lead-up to Luka Modric’s goal in the 81st minute. This goal ultimately secured the three points for the home team.

“That play, referring to Modric’s goal, was offside,” Navas stated firmly in a post-match interview with DAZN.

The disputed incident was meticulously analyzed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. However, upon review, the officials determined that Rüdiger, despite being offside, did not actively interfere with the play.

They deemed that he deliberately stepped away from the action and made no attempt to go for the ball, thus not influencing the outcome.

Despite the controversial call and the resulting loss, Navas acknowledged his team’s fighting spirit and positive attitude throughout the match.

He commented, “The team fought hard. Unfortunately, they managed to score the goal. We must learn from this and keep moving forward. However, I stand by my opinion that the action leading to the goal was offside.”

Navas’ comments highlight the often subjective nature of offside calls and the ongoing debate surrounding the use of VAR technology in football.

While the system aims to ensure fair play and correct officiating decisions, it continues to spark discussions and disagreements, even among seasoned players like Navas.