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FANS were left fuming as Erling Haaland's Manchester City opener against Real Madrid was subject to a lengthy VAR check.

The Norwegian's strike was finally given after it was deemed that he had been onside when Josko Gvardiol chested the ball down to him.

Stadium jumbotron displays a VAR goal check message.
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The goal was subject to a lengthy checkCredit: Reuters
Soccer game moment showing a goal attempt.
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Haaland was onside when Josko Gvardiol chested the ball to himCredit: Prime Video
Erling Haaland and Josko Gvardiol celebrating a goal.
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Erling Haaland celebrates firing Man City into the leadCredit: Reuters

Haaland scored in the 19th minute of the contest.

It was nearly five minutes before the goal was confirmed, despite the Champions League using semi-automated offside technology.

A visual graphic eventually illustrated that only Haaland's hand had been in an offside position.

And as you cannot score with your hand, the forward was confirmed as being onside.

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Fans were left bewildered at the delay.

One wrote on X: "I don’t think I’ve seen a longer VAR check before. If it’s clearly not offside give it as a goal and move on!"

While a second sarcastically added: "Five minutes to confirm what was obvious. UEFA drama at its finest."

During the delay, Haaland could be seen exchanging words with Vinicius Jr.

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Soccer player judged onside by VAR.
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Haaland was narrowly deemed to be onsideCredit: Prime Video

The Real Madrid star was mocked by a City tifo as the teams walked out.

Vinicius had been left extremely disappointed when he missed out on the Ballon d'Or to Rodri.

Wayne Rooney rips into Man City after just three seconds of Amazon Prime job

Real Madrid even boycotted the event over their winger's snub.

Poking fun at Real's stance, City fans held up a huge image of Rodri kissing the Ballon d'Or trophy, with the Oasis lyrics: "Stop crying your heart out."

Stadium crowd unfurling a banner that reads "Stop crying your heart out".
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City took a cheeky dig at Vinicius Jr's Ballon d'Or snub
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