Marco Asensio was the match-winner but it was the video technology, being used for the first time in the competition's history, which proved the talking point
THIBAUT COURTOIS' blushes were spared by a dodgy VAR call as Real Madrid ran out unconvincing winners over Ajax.
The Spanish giants - bidding to win the competition for the fourth successive time - grabbed a crucial away victory with goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio either side of Hakim Ziyech's strike.
But the decision to rule out what would have been a shock opener for the Dutch runners-up provided the night's big talking point.
After a spell of pressure, the hosts thought they had taken a deserved lead when hapless Courtois made a total mess of claiming a header and Nicolas Tagliafico nodded in the rebound.
However, a lengthy VAR review eventually disallowed the goal with Dusan Tadic ruled to be marginally offside, standing in front of the Real keeper as the ball looped in.
Whether or not the former Southampton midfielder was interfering with play is another matter.
The heart-breaking decision took the edge off the atmosphere in the second half and the La Liga giants began to dominate possession.
And it was the visitors who took the lead after the impressive Vinicius Junior drove across the box to tee up Benzema to crash a stunning strike into the top corner.
Ajax hit back 15 minutes later after some great high pressing allowed David Neres to lay the ball off to Ziyech to slide past Courtois.
But with the home side pushing for the winner their performance deserved, serial winners Madrid delivered the sucker-punch winner three minutes from time.
A stunning cross from Dani Carvajal evaded the entire Ajax backline and Asensio snuck in around the back to convert from close-range.
Although the Spaniard was the match-winner, VAR, which is being used for the first time in the knockout stages of this season's competition, made the headlines.
Courtois, whose blushes were spared by the controversial call, revealed prior to tonight's game that he was a huge supporter of its introduction in Europe.
He said: "I like it [VAR]. I think we saw in the World Cup it was a good experience with all countries in favour of VAR and it worked well. In Spain, the same thing.
"Sometimes they aren't sure about the rules and when to intervene, it needs to be a mistake, some people don't know this. But in general this is football and it if helps it's good.
"Sometimes it might go against you and the same the other way, so this is fair."
