Benjamin Sesko: Why VAR Overturned Leipzig Striker's Goal Against Real Madrid in Champions League

• Real Madrid avoided an early scare with VAR overturning RB Leipzig's goal
• Replays indicate Benjamin Sesko was onside, yet the decision was upheld
• The German league side would feel aggrieved at having lost the UCL game

The 2024 Champions League resumed this week, marking its first appearance of the year.

Kicking off the Round of 16 stage, Real Madrid faced RB Leipzig in Germany on Tuesday night.

Los Blancos found themselves immediately under pressure, conceding what appeared to be a goal just two minutes into the game.

A corner was delivered into the box with Madrid goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, punching it away to where Leipzig's Xaver Schlager struck a volley towards goal.

Benjamin Sesko reacted quickly, heading the ball into the net, only for the flag to be raised for offside.

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Despite a swift VAR check confirming the on-field decision, replays suggested the Leipzig striker had been played onside by Real Madrid's Rodrygo de Goes.

Why Sesko's goal was ruled out

So, why did VAR rule out the goal when Sesko was onside?

The Slovenia international scored with a header, but the goal was disallowed because his teammate, Benjamin Henrichs, was positioned behind Lunin, clearly in an offside position.

As per the IFAB's Law 11.2 of the rules of the game, it's an offside offence when the attacking player makes an 'obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball'.

The decision appeared excessively stringent, as replays indicated Lunin likely wouldn't have managed to make the save regardless of the presence of the offside player.

Kroos disagrees with VAR

Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, surprisingly agreed that the goal against his team should have been allowed.

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The German told reporters after the game, via The Score:

"He called it offside because he said he obstructed [Lunin]. The goalkeeper would not have got to the ball, so it was a goal."

Leipzig rue disallowed goal

Sports Brief also reported that Leipzig lamented a contentious disallowed goal in Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat to Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 encounter.

While praising Brahim Diaz's beautiful goal for Los Blancos, the German side's manager, Marco Rose, told reporters the decision against Sesko was not the correct one.