Handball rule branded a 'disaster' as Real Madrid profit from controversy in UEFA Champions League win over Marseille - 'No way in the world'

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Officiating was a major talking point again after Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Marseille in the UEFA Champions League. Kylian Mbappe scored two penalties in either half to secure victory for the 10-player hosts, who had seen Trent Alexander-Arnold forced off injured and his replacement Dani Carvajal red carded. But the home side's second penalty proved a controversial one.

McManaman agrees with Carvajal red card but penalty decision 'a disaster'

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert Steve McManaman labelled the handball rule a "disaster" after Real Madrid were awarded a penalty late on in their UEFA Champions League opener against Marseille.

Visiting defender Facundo Medina was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box after making a challenge on Vinicius Junior, and a penalty was given despite a VAR check.

Kylian Mbappe converted from the spot for the second time in the game to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory.

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"The handball rule in the Premier League and across Europe is a disaster isn't it?" McManaman said on TNT Sports.

"Nobody knows what's going to happen. The referee gave a penalty - there's no way that VAR was ever going to get involved because it wasn't a clear and obvious error.

"He [Medina] makes a decent tackle, he's falling, he can't put his hands anywhere else apart from down towards the floor, and he accidentally touches the ball. It shouldn't really be a penalty."

Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid C.F. and Facundo Medina of Olympique Marseille battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

Image credit: Getty Images

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown was similarly displeased by the decision.

"There's no way in the world that's a handball," he said. "He [Medina] doesn't know where the ball is - it's behind him.

"Very often in the Champions League, you see it given as soon as it touches the hand. The Premier League has a high bar on this, but it's not as clear."

It proved a decisive moment as Real Madrid went in front for the first time on the night with 81 minutes on the clock.

Timothy Weah had given Marseille the lead in the first half after a rapid counter-attack, before Mbappe levelled from the spot following a clear foul on Rodrygo.

The win was all the more significant for Real Madrid, given they were reduced to 10 players after 72 minutes when Dani Carvajal - a first-half replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold - was sent off for moving his head towards Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who fell to the ground.

"I deplore what the goalkeeper's done, but it was a sending off," McManaman said. "When you motion your head like that, it's a sending off offence.

"He's the Real Madrid captain, he has to be better than that."

'The footage tells its own story' - Carvajal sent off for a headbutt on Marseille's Rulli

Video credit: TNT Sports

Keown: Is Mbappe the best player on the planet?

Mbappe, unsurprisingly, took the headlines after scoring twice, and there would have been even more plaudits had his audacious overhead kick early in the first half gone in.

But Keown saw enough to suggest Mbappe could be considered "the best player on the planet", despite a goal from open play eluding him.

"Mbappe at times... myself and Macca were watching it saying 'is this man the best player on the planet again?'" he said.

"Such a swivel that he has, a change of pace, but he couldn't, without penalties, find the back of the net. That is a worry."

Mbappe 'best player on the planet again' but Real Madrid lack 'balance' says Keown

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mbappe has started the season strongly under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has now overseen five straight wins in all competitions so far in 2025/26.

On Los Blancos' chances of a 16th Champions League title, Keown said: "They just keep playing the same way. The fans expect that, and they just keep producing.

"How many times have they won this trophy? Who's going to back against them winning it again?

"It's going to be a great watch. I don't know if there's really the balance in their play. It's entertaining but a little bit all over the place."

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