Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had his blushes saved by VAR when the video official intervened to chalk off what Ajax thought was a crucial opening goal in the Champions League tie.
Nicolas Tagliafico appeared to have scored a close-range header after Courtois had fumbled a straightfoward save back into the danger zone.
However, after the referee consulted a screen on the side of the pitch he ruled out the goal. The video official deemed Dusan Tadic to have been in an offside decision, and the referee on the field then concluded the winger had interfered with Courtois attempted to make a save.
It was a quetionable decision to say the least, with Courtois seemingly beaten with or without the influence of Tadic, so the Belgian would have been relieved to see the call overturned.
The incident made Champions League history as the first time a goal has been ruled out by VAR in Europe’s premier competition.
It meant Ajax and Real Madrid went into half-time in the first leg all square and goalless.
