'The linesman f*cked the game!' - Fans left in utter disbelief as Bayern Munich are denied last-gasp equalising goal against Real Madrid in hugely controversial Champions League semi-final moment that left Thomas Tuchel seething

After losing a one-goal lead to fall 2-1 behind in the second leg of their semi-final tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bayern had one big chance deep in stoppage time that ended with Matthijs de Ligt sweeping the ball into the net. However, the goal was immediately disallowed as the referee blew his whistle.

The ball was played into the Bayern box towards Leroy Sane, who was beaten to the header by Ferland Mendy. Even though it was the Madrid player who headed the ball, the linesman raised his flag quickly to wave Sane offside and the referee's whistle went before the ball hit the net.

Football fans went crazy on social media, as @thefutballboy_1 wrote: "In all honesty, this is not offside, and even if it was, it's a close close call, and the rules say "Players must keep playing until the attack is over, then check VAR". Bayern got robbed!"

@HLTCO said: "It’s absolutely bonkers that they’ve blown up and not allowed VAR to determine whether or not that was offside."

"Linesmen and refs let players run through on goal for ages even if it’s clearly offside, potentially causing injury," @lawrence_bury said. "The one time in ages I have seen an instant whistle blow is tonight, at the highest level. Why? It’s a catastrophe to football how bad the game is being managed."

"I refuse to believe that this is offside lmao," @CFC_Iann said. "De ligt is offside but he doesn't even touch the ball, the linesman f*cked up the game."

@Thomasjrennie wrote: "Hold on. He’s onside there isn’t he? That’s a balls up there from the linesman. When you think about all the times they play on when you KNOW someone is offside."

It was an important and controversial call as the Bayern players and bench were left furious. Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel was shown a yellow card as he shouted at the linesman afterwards and Madrid went on to seal the 2-1 win, having earlier seen Joselu come off the bench to net two quickfire goals to turn the tie around after Alphonso Davies' fantastic opener.

Speaking after the game, Tuchel told DAZN: "It's an absolute disaster. This scene must be played out to the end. That's the rule. The linesman made the mistake, and the referee made the second mistake. It's a violation of the rules."

De Ligt complained about the officials after the game and revealed the linesman apologies to him, telling Movistar: "I don't want to say that Real Madrid always has the referees with them but that made the difference today." He added to Bein Sports: "The linesman told me: 'Sorry, I made a mistake'."

While Bayern's miserable season ends without a Champions League, Bundesliga or DFB-Pokal title, Madrid can go on to win the European competition for the 15th time when they meet Borussia Dortmund in the final.