The 12-minute VAR review has stirred up the country: Are matches being decided before they even start?

20.12.2025 12:15

The penalty decision made after a 12-minute VAR review in the Santa Clara–Sporting CP match in the Portuguese Cup has led to a major crisis. Porto and Benfica reacted strongly against the refereeing, reigniting the debate over justice in Portuguese football.

The match between Santa Clara and Sporting CP in the Round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup made headlines due to referee decisions that overshadowed the football on the field. The match saw three red cards, a prolonged VAR review, and a last-minute penalty that sparked significant controversy in Portuguese football.

RED CARDS, TENSION, AND CHAOS

In the match, Sporting CP took the lead in the 12th minute with a goal from Joao Simoes. Santa Clara equalized in the 28th minute and took a 2-1 lead in the 86th minute. Following this goal, a foul situation escalated into a fight between players from both teams. Paulo Victor from Santa Clara was sent off with a red card.

In the added minutes, the tension rose even further. After the events in the 90+13th minute, Vanencio and Soares from Santa Clara also received red cards.

9-MINUTE VAR REVIEW

The turning point of the match came in the 90+16th minute. The penalty awarded to Sporting CP was reviewed by VAR for a full 9 minutes. Referee Pinheiro, after evaluating the situation on the monitor for about 3 more minutes, confirmed the penalty decision. With Suarez's penalty goal, the score became 2-2, and the match went into extra time. Sporting CP emerged victorious with a 3-2 win after Ioannidis scored in the 98th minute.

STRONG REACTIONS FROM PORTO AND BENFICA

The controversial penalty decision caused a seismic effect in Portuguese football. Porto Club stated in a statement, "The sporting integrity of the country's football is at risk. The trust of clubs and fans in referees has been seriously shaken. Urgent measures must be taken."

Benfica, using a harsher tone, stated, "These decisions are unacceptable in terms of the reputation of Portuguese football. If matches are decided before they even start, this fixture loses all meaning."