Kylian Mbappe’s involvement in the latest El Clasico has sparked significant debate, particularly concerning the early penalty awarded to Real Madrid.
The incident unfolded when Mbappe was brought down in the box by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, leading to a penalty that the French forward converted to make it 1-0. However, the lead-up to this event raised questions about a potential offside.
The controversy centers on the sequence where Pau Cubarsi attempted to intercept a pass, resulting in the ball deflecting to Mbappe. At the moment of the initial pass, Mbappe appeared to be in an offside position.
The critical question is whether Cubarsi’s touch was a deliberate play or merely a deflection. According to FIFA’s Laws of the Game, if a defender deliberately plays the ball, it can reset the offside phase, making Mbappe’s position legal. Conversely, if the touch was accidental, the offside offense stands.
In this instance, the officials deemed Cubarsi’s action as a deliberate play, thus validating Mbappe’s position and the subsequent penalty. This interpretation has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that the decision was marginal and could have gone either way.
As debates continue, this incident serves as a reminder of the fine margins that can influence the outcome of pivotal games and the importance of clear interpretations of the rules in maintaining the integrity of the sport.