Unseen Image Proves If Chelsea Goal Was Offside After Barcelona VAR Controversy

An image which was not initially shown on Prime Video’s live coverage of Chelsea’s Champions League league phase clash against Barcelona has proved whether the home side’s opening goal was offside or not.

Chelsea thought they had taken the lead twice in the first half against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge before finally going 1-0 up thanks to Jules Kounde’s own goal.

Captain Enzo Fernandez had the ball in the net on two occasions, only for both to be chalked off.

Three minutes in, Fernandez scored from close range, but the strike was ruled out for Wesley Fofana’s handball in the build-up.

Around 20 minutes later, the Argentine thought he had scored again, this time heading home Estevao’s free kick, only for Trevoh Chalobah to be deemed to be in an offside position, meaning it remained 0-0.

But Chelsea did go in front on 27 minutes thanks to Kounde’s own goal. The ball was whipped into the box before the Barca back line struggled to clear their lines, ahead of Kounde mistakenly rolling the ball over the line.

There were suspicions that Marc Cucurella was offside during the build-up, with some angles appearing to show the Spain international in an offside position.

However, another angle, which was shown on overseas television, shows the left-back was, in fact, being played onside by Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi.

It was Pau Cubarsi who was playing Marc Cucurella onside. pic.twitter.com/Vr7smyqjm0

— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 25, 2025

Fans were quick to offer their thoughts on social media with some still questioning the decision despite seeing the second image.

One said: "This has to be a made-up image, cos the actual footage doesn't pose anything as this."

Another added: "Barca getting worked at the moment by Chelsea, but how was this not called offside?"

A third claimed: "Chelsea have successfully robbed their first goal cuz how’s this not offside."

While another commented: "Chelsea and their offside goals today. Should be 0-0 still, too."

The drama did not stop there, as just before the half-time interval, Barca defender Ronald Araujo was shown a second yellow card by referee Slavko Vincic for a challenge on Cucurella, leaving the Catalans down to 10 men.