“Penalty Oscar! Three times Oscar!” » Raises question marks regarding the decisive phase in Inter
Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, 00:30 / Updated on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 00:42
Inter Milan lost again in the final in the Champions League, 0-1 with Liverpoolafter a controversial penalty dictated in the 88th minute and converted by Dominik Szoboszlai. Ilie Dumitrescu, Gabi Balint and Ionuț Badea analyzed the phase.
The duel on “Giuseppe Meazza”, counting for stage 6, was decided by the phase in which Bastoni held Florian Wirtz by the jersey.
Ionuț Badea, angry: “Why does a German in the VAR room give a penalty also for a German?”
Ionuț Badea had the most categorical reaction, criticizing both the German's “simulation” and the decision of his compatriots in the VAR room:
“An Oscar penalty for Wirtz and the VAR camera. Shooting exists. If you look at the side view, there was no way Wirtz was going to get to that ball.
Why does a German in the VAR room give a penalty also for a German? I'm curious about that. It's not about anything in particular, but it's the patriotic connection. Oscar, Oscar, Oscar! Oscar three times,” said Badea on Digi Sport's “European Football”.
Ilie Dumitrescu criticizes Bastoni: “It's clear imprudence”
Ilie Dumitrescu looked at the phase from a different perspective and blamed the defender of Inter: “It is imprudence on the part of the defender. Bastoni was not allowed to do something like that, regardless of other circumstances. You are not allowed to do that in the box.”
Gabi Balint admitted that the hold exists, but emphasized that the phase does not justify such an important penalty: “Ok, there is a hold, but he has his back to the goal, he couldn't reach the ball. Not really any foul in which penalty. I sympathize more with Liverpool, I admit, but at the same time I have to say that it is too easily awarded.”
The controversial phase that decided the match
In the 85th minute, Bastoni, 10 meters from his own goal, held Wirtz by the shirt. The German fell excessively, but the offense was there. Referee Felix Zwayer was called to the VAR monitor, reviewed the phase and indicated the spot with lime.
The decision was vehemently contested by Lautaro Martinez, and at the end of the game, coach Cristi Chivu also expressed his dissatisfaction. Szoboszlai scored without emotion, setting up the final score.
Champions League single group standings
