Lamine Yamal was once again a protagonist on a European night. The young talent from FC Barcelona tried everything in the second leg of the semifinals against Inter Milan. Dribbles, shots, breakthroughs, some of the team's best offensive actions were born from his boots.
However, neither inspiration nor willpower was enough, the goal eluded him, but his impact on the game was undeniable.
On several occasions, the winger tested Yann Sommer. Inter's goalkeeper replied with feline reflexes, stopping everything that came his way. Lamine didn't stop seeking the goal, but the Swiss wall remained firm.
The Play That Changed Everything
The match was 2-2, minute 68. Then came the key play, Mkhitaryan fouled Lamine Yamal. The referee, Szymon Marciniak, pointed to the penalty spot, but the joy was short-lived.
From the VAR room, the Dutchmen Pol van Boekel and Dennis Higler called the referee. They asked him to review the action, but not on the monitor, as usual. They simply told him it wasn't a penalty, and Marciniak complied, just like that.
A Decision That Costs Dearly
The contact starts outside the area, yes. But Lamine endures, continues the play, and the definitive impact occurs inside. According to the rules, that's a penalty, a clear penalty.
It wasn't a mistake by the referee on the field, it was a mistake by the VAR and Lamine is clear about it.
A Shared Feeling
It's not the first time Barça suffers controversial decisions in Europe and it's not the first time the same names appear. Van Boekel and Higler have already been protagonists of other dark nights for the Catalan club.
This time, they were again. With an incomprehensible decision, without screen review, and with questionable criteria.
More Than a Defeat
Barça is out of the Champions. Lamine, frustrated, the team, affected. But there's a feeling that goes beyond the result: that the effort wasn't enough because someone from a distant room decided to change the course of the match.
Lamine sums it up in a phrase that already resonates in all the culé corners: “The error is the VAR's.” A clear signal, a finger pointing, not to blame a teammate, but to say enough.