Was It Over? Raul Albiols wonder-block vs Luis Fabiano (Sevilla Real Madrid)

This is why we need video technology. Again.

All too often in football the focus of everyones attention is placed on the goalscorers and playmakers. Audiences want to be thrilled, and those bursts ofadrenalineandexcitementare most commonly supplied when goals hit the back of the net. Yet the balance was redressed on Wednesday night in Spain, as Real centre-half Raul Albiol served up one of the blocks of the season to leave Sevilla shell-shocked over how the ball was adjudged not to have crossed the line.

The incident arrived crucially with the literal final kick of the first half.

With the match still scoreless, Andalusian hot-shot Luis Fabiano looked destined to score after the striker collected Kanoutes fine first-time through-ball and rounded Iker Casillas. All the Brazilian had to do was fire the ball into the ungaurded net. Youd have bet your house on Fabiano scoring. But Raul Albiol had other ideas.

Chugging in like a steam-train onsteroids, the defender used his body like a human torpedo as his slid along his goalline. Amazingly he managed to slow the shot down with the underside of his thigh, but it wasnt a convincing enough block to stop the ball trickling towards the net.

Incredibly, however, Albiol had the presence of mind to make a second block while his body was tangled in the net. Using the sole of his boot, he was able to stop the ball as it hovered on the goalline.

But had the ball crossed the line?

Sevilla thought so. Albiol, in turn was left fist-pumping after his wonder-block. And eventually the match offcials sided with the Madridistas in one of the tighest calls of the season.

Raul Albiols wonder-block can be seen here.

Related video: Highlights of Sevilla 0 Real Madrid 1.