Everyone who plays football knows Mbappe’s goal shouldn’t have stood – Mikel Oyarzabal

Spain’s forward Mikel Oyarzabal stated everyone who plays football knows Kylian Mbappe’s goal shouldn’t have stood against them in the Nations League final at San Siro on Sunday. The PSG Saint-Germain star striker scored in the 80th minute but it looked like he was off-side.

Theo Hernandez played the ball for Mbappe while Eric Garcia made a sliding attempt to get to the ball but only deflected the ball to the striker, who went on to finish. As Garcia’s touch was deliberate, the goal was counted after Anthony Taylor spoke to Stuart Attwell in the VAR.

Oyarzabal, who scored the opening goal of the match for Spain, bluntly said that whoever has made this rule has never played football in his life.

“Everyone who plays football knows that that’s offside,” Oyarzabal said. “Whoever made this law has never played football. “Eric’s not trying to play the ball, he’s trying to intercept it.”

Spain’s skipper Sergio Busquets was also not impressed with the decision and let out his frustration at the goal.

“The referee said that Eric plays the ball so the offside is canceled,” Busquets said. “That’s not explained to us. You have to want to play the ball, but Eric only wanted to intercept.”

Eric Garcia also let his displeasure known after the referee decided that the goal will stand.

“The referee said I intended to play the ball,” Eric Garcia explained. “He said that I should have moved out of the way and let Mbappe control the ball because that’s the rule.

“I think that’s what makes it hurt more. Hopefully, they can change it.”

It was indeed a bit harsh for Spain and France did have the rub of the green on their side. In fact, Mbappe was struggling with his finish throughout the game but was luckily able to get the winner.