Real Madrid vs. Manchester United: Watch Nani’s pivotal red card

A red card to winger Nani in the 56th minute of Tuesday’s Champions League match against Real Madrid appears to have been a game changer for Manchester United.

United held a 1-0 lead when Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir gave a red card to the winger, who had stretched his leg trying to control the ball but caught Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa in the chest with the studs of his right shoe.

Madrid went on to score two quick goals for a 2-1 victory and advanced to the quarterfinals, 3-2, on aggregate.

UEFA declined comment on the controversial call Wednesday, which is when the European body usually would respond to questions about its referees.

According to FIFA’s laws of soccer, a player must use “excessive force” in order to receive a red card, as opposed to simply acting in a “reckless manner,” which would draw only a yellow card.

Michael Owen, a former forward for both teams, wrote on Twitter: “Not in a million years would we see a Red Card for that in The Premier League but on the continent it’s a definite Red. Can’t really blame the Ref for it as he is obliged to play to the rules but it’s a hard one to take bearing in mind there was no intent.”

Watch the video above and let us know if you think Nani deserved the red card.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.