The 23rd minute of this evening’s international friendly between Wales and France marked nightmare for the Dragons, as Liverpool ace Neco Williams was shown a red card in an extremely harsh moment.
Paul Pogba and Karim Benzema steered a header towards goal, forcing a save from Danny Ward in which the ball spilled out towards Les Bleus’ returning talisman.
Benzema fired a volley towards goal from a yard out. In a last-ditch defensive effort, young Williams dived towards the ball, raising his hands to protect his face from a lethal striker of the ball.
Unfortunately, the ball struck the underside of the Liverpool talent’s forearm, a penalty was awarded after a VAR review, but the right-back was also harshly sent off in the controversial incident.
A fellow Reds academy graduate in Ward managed to pull off a brilliant save to thwart Benzema from the spot, but Didier Deschamps’ eventually made their one-man advantage count before the half ended.
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? | “That is absolutely ridiculous!”
Neco Williams is sent off for Wales after a VAR check for handball – it seems harsh but he’s off! ? pic.twitter.com/5mjVghHCbq
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 2, 2021
Pictures from Sky Sports and TF1.
The powers at be aren’t likely to introduce any of the necessary rule changes ahead of the all-important tournament, we’ve just got sit back and hope that VAR and poor officiating doesn’t ruin the Euros.
I used to enjoy watching football until VAR turned up.