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Many Call For Offsides Rule Change After Kylian Mbappe’s Controversial Goal In Nations League Final

The soccer world continues to call for a drastic change in the offsides rule following Kylian Mbappe's winner in the Nations League Final

France's Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the international friendly soccer match between France and Wales at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France, Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Kylian Mbappe played hero for France in the Nations League Final against Spain.

As the two teams were tied 1-1 in the second half, Mbappe was offside when he took a pass from Theo Hernandez and found the back of the net. However, the goal stood because Spain’s Eric Garcia made an attempt to play the ball.

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According to Spain players, the refs said that because Eric Garcia touched the ball on the way to Kylian Mbappe, the play took on a new ‘phase’, and the offside was essentially voided.

“Mbappe was offside, but the referee said that Eric went for the ball and that this started a new phase,” Sergio Busquets told RTVE.

“That makes no sense, though. He went to try to cut the ball out because Mbappe was there and he assumed Mbappe was onside, so he did what any defender would have done in trying to cut it out.”

After the Kylian Mbappe game-winner, many were calling for a drastic change to the offsides rule.

The Kylian Mbappe goal wasn’t a bad call on the pitch, but it appears to be a rule that needs some tinkering in the future.

A defender can’t be expected not to play a ball if they think a player if offsides. And in this case, it costed Spain a chance in the Nations League Final.

Kylian Mbappe won’t be complaining. But I’d expect an offsides rule change to take place sometimes in the future.


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