Even Valencia Agreed VAR Had to Intervene to Expel Mamardashvili

A commendable move by Lamine led to Mamardashvili touching the ball outside the box and being sent off thanks to VAR.

Moments before De Burgos Bengoetxea decided to send off the Valencia goalkeeper, Jaume Domènech was already prepared to enter the field.

It’s not the goalkeepers’ day at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. After Ter Stegen’s miscalculation attempting to dribble past Hugo Duro resulting in Valencia’s No. 9 scoring, Mamardashvili made an error in added time, mishandling a ball that allowed Lamine to attempt a solo run towards Valencia’s goal, only to be illegally stopped by the Georgian goalkeeper.

Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea and his assistants were the only ones who didn’t see live that Mamardashvili had touched the ball with his hand outside the box. Even before VAR alerted the Basque referee of his mistake, Valencia’s substitute goalkeeper started warming up, aware that he would have to replace a teammate.

An indisputable play

Jaime Latre, in the VAR room, informed De Burgos Bengoetxea of his glaring ‘oversight,’ and the referee went to review the play on the screen. He seemed reluctant to correct his decision, but the images left no room for doubt.

Mamardashvili’s expulsion was evident. Thus, the referee had to act and show the red card to a Valencia goalkeeper who didn’t protest, aware of his action.

Cautious Jaume Domènech came on for Almeida and was able to save Raphinha’s free-kick.