So yesterday I’m rewatching that messy Champions League game – you know the one where Marta got sent off in the 70th minute. Everyone in the fan forums was screaming bloody murder, calling it a robbery. Figured I’d dig in myself since nobody was explaining it properly. Grabbed my laptop, some cold pizza, and pulled up the full match replay.
First Thing I Did: Watch The Incident Frame By Frame
Started right before everything blew up. Saw Marta tracking back as their winger charged down the left flank. She was definitely closing in, no doubt about that. Slowed the video way down. At first glance? Looked like a clumsy challenge near the halfway line, maybe a yellow at worst. But then…
Noticed three tiny details everyone missed:
1. Her trailing foot catches the winger’s standing leg AFTER she gets the ball. Clear as day on replay angle 2.
2. The ref’s whistle blew IMMEDIATELY, no hesitation. He was staring right at it.
3. That winger’s ankle bent sideways in a way ankles really shouldn’t bend. Made me wince.
So yeah, that trailing foot? Total red card tackle. Dirty? Nah. Reckless? Hell yes. Could’ve snapped her ankle. Case closed.
Then I Cross-Checked The Rules
Scrolled through the official UEFA disciplinary handbook PDF on my other screen. Don’t care if people call me a nerd – wanted the actual wording. Page 48, Article 12.3: “Any tackle endangering the safety of an opponent.” Didn’t even need to read further. That contact was textbook danger.
Still saw fans yelling “But she got the ball first!” online. Dug up old examples. Remembered that Prem game last season? Player got ball clean but followed through knee-high into the shin. Straight red confirmed after VAR. Same damn rule applied here.
Final Verdict? Yeah, It Sucked… But It Was Correct
Sat back feeling kinda annoyed actually. Wanted to blame the ref too! But seeing it all laid out? Marta mistimed it. That trailing leg scissor motion is lethal. Refs get a hard time, but this one actually nailed a tough call in real-time.
Lesson for me? Don’t get swept up in fan rage. Sometimes just gotta rewatch the tape.
