‘They Were Robbed!’ – Marco van Basten Slams VAR After Club Brugge’s Disallowed Winner Against Barcelona

Barcelona escape with 3-3 draw as Club Brugge’s late goal sparks outrage

Barcelona might have escaped Bruges with a point, but few will argue that they deserved even that. On a cold Champions League night at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Club Brugge gave the reigning La Liga champions a proper scare in an end-to-end 3-3 thriller — one that will be remembered just as much for its drama as for the controversy that followed.

Dutch football legend Marco van Basten didn’t mince his words after the match, claiming that Brugge had been “robbed” when Romeo Vermant’s stoppage-time winner was disallowed. “He doesn’t even touch the goalkeeper!” Van Basten fumed on Dutch TV, his frustration echoing what many neutrals watching felt.

For a night that began with high hopes for Barcelona to reassert themselves in Europe, it ended in another frustrating reminder of just how fragile their season under Hansi Flick still is.

Club Brugge shock Barcelona with fearless football

From the opening whistle, Club Brugge refused to play the role of humble hosts. They pressed with aggression, countered with speed, and took full advantage of every ounce of hesitation in the Barcelona defence. Within six minutes, they were ahead — a perfectly timed run from Nicolo Tresoldi met by a sharp low cross from Carlos Forbs, the young Portuguese winger who looked untouchable all night.

The home crowd erupted. Barcelona, stung into action, responded swiftly through Ferran Torres, who converted from close range after a smart pass from Fermin Lopez. For a brief moment, it looked like the Catalans might regain control. But Forbs had other ideas.

The 21-year-old tormented Barcelona’s high line, exploiting gaps left by the full-backs and punishing their poor transitions. His second goal before half-time — another burst of pace, another composed finish — restored Brugge’s lead and sent the stadium into delirium. At the break, Hansi Flick’s men looked shell-shocked.

Flick turns to his stars, but Brugge keep fighting

SOCCER CL D4 CLUB BRUGGE VS BARCELONA

Barcelona’s fortunes only began to shift after the hour mark when Flick introduced Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, both returning from injury. Their presence alone seemed to inject belief into a side that had been second best for much of the night.

Within minutes, Fermin Lopez once again provided the spark — threading a neat pass into Lamine Yamal, who calmly made it 2-2. The relief was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Forbs — inevitably — struck again. His second of the night and Brugge’s third left Barcelona staring at another European embarrassment.

Still, the visitors found a lifeline when Christos Tzolis, under pressure from Lewandowski, turned the ball into his own net in the 77th minute. It was 3-3, but the drama was far from over.

Van Basten slams VAR as Club Brugge goal controversially ruled out

The flashpoint came deep into stoppage time. Brugge, refusing to settle for a draw, threw everyone forward for one last attack. The ball fell kindly to Romeo Vermant, who bundled it over the line amid chaos in the six-yard box. The stadium exploded — it looked like the Belgian champions had just completed one of their greatest ever European nights.

But after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was ruled out. The officials claimed Vermant had fouled Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the build-up, though replays appeared to show minimal, if any, contact.

That decision left fans furious and sparked immediate debate across Europe. None louder than Marco van Basten’s.

“Club Brugge have been robbed! The goal for 4-3 should have counted,” the former Ballon d’Or winner fumed on Dutch TV. “Vermant doesn’t foul Szczesny — he barely touches him! It’s the goalkeeper who throws himself to the ground. VAR got it completely wrong.”

Even neutrals on social media echoed Van Basten’s outrage, with many calling the decision “soft” and “another example of VAR killing the emotion of football.”

Hansi Flick admits Barcelona lacked intensity

While Brugge felt aggrieved, Hansi Flick was more concerned with his own side’s performance. Speaking after the match, the German coach admitted that Barcelona’s lack of intensity was a major problem.

“When you lack intensity, you have no chance — especially in the Champions League,” Flick told Movistar+. “We can defend in the final third, but we need to do it with more energy and focus. Brugge played very well, as I expected. They were aggressive, they believed, and they deserved something from this game.”

Flick went on to highlight his side’s defensive issues, particularly in midfield transitions. “It’s not just about defending at the back,” he said. “We need the midfield to support more. Too often we lose duels in key areas, and against players as quick as Brugge’s, that becomes dangerous.”

He insisted, though, that he would not abandon Barcelona’s attacking philosophy. “We want to play our football. The positive thing is that we came back three times, but clearly, we have work to do.”

A night to remember for Brugge, a warning for Barcelona

For Club Brugge, this was a statement night. To go toe-to-toe with Barcelona — and arguably outplay them — was proof that Belgian football continues to produce fearless, technically gifted teams. Carlos Forbs, in particular, was outstanding, his brace and overall performance drawing praise from pundits across Europe.

For Barcelona, however, the result only deepens the sense of unease. Three wins in their last seven matches tell their own story. Injuries to Raphinha, Pedri, and Joan Garcia have undoubtedly hurt them, but the real concern lies in their inconsistency and their alarming defensive frailty.

This weekend’s trip to Celta Vigo suddenly looks like a must-win. Estadio de Balaídos has been a tricky venue for Barcelona in recent years, and anything short of victory will only pile more pressure on Flick, who is already facing questions about whether his tactical approach truly suits this squad.

VAR debate reignites across Europe

The fallout from Brugge vs Barcelona will likely linger beyond the final whistle. VAR, once again, finds itself at the center of football’s biggest debate. Should minor contact with a goalkeeper always invalidate a goal? Has the system become too rigid, too detached from the flow of the game?

For Van Basten, the answer was clear — and his words struck a chord. “Football is a physical sport. We can’t whistle every small touch. The goalkeeper isn’t made of glass,” he said. “Brugge deserved to win tonight.”

And perhaps he’s right.

Because for all Barcelona’s quality, for all their history and talent, the truth is simple — on this night, Club Brugge were the better team. And if not for one controversial VAR call, they might have earned the famous victory they so richly deserved.