Club Brugge have been robbed!” – 3-time Ballon d’Or Winner Accuses Barcelona of Stealing Point After Disallowed Goal

In a dramatic UEFA Champions League encounter between Barcelona and Club Brugge, 3-time Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten has fiercely criticized the controversial decision that led to the disallowing of Club Brugge’s goal in the final moments of the match. The incident occurred after a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Romeo Vermant was ruled out following a VAR review. Van Basten, speaking on Dutch television, didn’t hold back in his condemnation, claiming that Club Brugge had been unfairly robbed of what would have been a historic win.

The match, held at the Jan Breydel Stadium, saw both teams produce an exciting six-goal thriller. Barcelona and Brugge were caught in a back-and-forth affair, with both sides showing moments of brilliance and vulnerability. Barcelona was forced to come from behind three times in what turned out to be a chaotic and thrilling contest.

The match started with an early shock as Nicolo Tresoldi opened the scoring for Brugge just six minutes into the game. The Belgian side capitalized on Barcelona’s high defensive line, catching them off guard. However, Barcelona was quick to respond, leveling the game through Ferran Torres in the 10th minute.

Club Brugge regained the lead midway through the first half when Carlos Forbs netted from a swift counterattack, putting the hosts ahead again. The Belgian side was solid defensively, holding Barcelona at bay as the first half drew to a close, with Brugge maintaining a 2-1 advantage.

In the second half, Barcelona came out with increased pressure, and it wasn’t long before they found their equalizer. Lamine Yamal scored just after the hour mark, giving Barcelona hope of taking control of the game. However, the lead was short-lived, as Brugge struck again with Forbs scoring his second goal to restore Brugge’s advantage just two minutes later.

The match became even more intense as Barcelona continued to apply pressure. In a dramatic twist, Brugge’s Christos Szolis scored an own goal, gifting Barcelona the equalizer once again. This late goal had the match poised for a dramatic conclusion, with both sides locked at 3-3.

Then, in the dying moments of the match, substitute Romeo Vermant seemed to have secured a last-gasp winner for Club Brugge. Vermant pounced on a mistake from Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who failed to clear the ball properly. Vermant took advantage of the error and slotted the ball home, sparking wild celebrations from the Brugge players and fans alike.

However, the celebrations were short-lived. The referee, after consulting VAR, ruled out the goal, claiming that Vermant had committed a foul on Szczesny before scoring. The decision left the Brugge players, staff, and supporters furious, as they believed Vermant had made no contact with the goalkeeper.

Marco van Basten was among those who reacted strongly to the decision. The former AC Milan and Netherlands legend insisted that the goal should have stood. He argued that Vermant had not fouled Szczesny, and it was the goalkeeper’s own actions that made the situation look like a foul. Van Basten’s passionate defense of Club Brugge resonated with many fans and pundits, who believed the decision was harsh and unjust.

The controversy surrounding the disallowed goal dominated discussions after the match, with many questioning the consistency of VAR and its impact on crucial moments in games. Barcelona’s dramatic comeback and Brugge’s late goal had been the defining moments of the match, but the VAR decision ultimately overshadowed the final result.

Barcelona’s defender Eric Garcia also acknowledged that their high defensive line had caused problems during the match. Brugge exploited the gaps left by Barcelona’s defenders, especially with quick counterattacks that led to goals. Garcia admitted that improvements were needed, as the team often found themselves exposed to Brugge’s quick transitions.

Barcelona’s head coach also weighed in on the match, expressing frustration with the way the team had to recover from being behind multiple times. Despite the setbacks, the manager praised his players for their resilience, though he also acknowledged that the team needed to address defensive issues moving forward.

With the draw, Barcelona now has seven points from their first four group-stage matches in the Champions League. The result puts them in a somewhat precarious position as they prepare to face Chelsea in their next fixture, knowing that they will need to improve defensively to avoid more frustrating results like this one.

For Club Brugge, the disallowed goal will likely linger in their minds as a missed opportunity for what could have been a famous victory. The Belgian side had fought valiantly against a top European club and, despite the setback, they can take pride in their performance. The controversy, however, will undoubtedly fuel their desire to prove themselves in future fixtures.

As the group stages continue, the fallout from this match is likely to echo throughout the tournament. VAR’s role in deciding key moments like these is under intense scrutiny, and the disallowed goal will add fuel to the ongoing debate over its influence on the outcome of matches.

While Barcelona will likely move on from the controversy, the frustration felt by Club Brugge will not be easily forgotten. In a season filled with dramatic moments, this match will surely be remembered for the excitement it brought and the controversy that followed. With more high-stakes matches ahead, both teams will look to continue their campaigns, hoping for better fortune in the decisions that come their way.