Vinicius forgot about VAR and controversy to give Madrid the lead

Vinicius was responsible for really opening the floodgates in the Champions League final. After the mess and the controversy with the VAR because, earlier, Karim Benzema had given his side the lead and had seen his goal disallowed for a bizarre offside - the ball came to him from Fabinho on a rebound with Fede Valverde.

Later in the match, 'Pajarito' was driving the ball to the side of the box when he lifted his head and spotted Vinicius alone in the vicinity of the far post. The Red backline wasn't covering him at all, so the ideal space was created for the Brazilian to shoot from the edge of the area.

To do so, he used the inside of his right boot, a safe surface to take advantage of the fact that Alisson wasn't quite in position either. The ball travelled quickly into the back of his net and became, this time without any VAR intervention or possible infringements, the first goal of the great duel in Saint-Denis.

It came as a blow to Klopp's side, who had dominated the first half and were looking for a second half of continuity to bring their seventh UCL to Anfield. The task was made all the more difficult for the English side after Vinicius, who had been trying to do damage on his flank all game.

 

May 28, 2022