Controversy erupted in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid after Julián Álvarez’s penalty was disallowed following a VAR intervention.
The decision, which played a pivotal role in Atlético’s elimination, sparked outrage among fans, pundits, and even Atlético’s head coach, Diego Simeone.
The penalty shootout, held at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night, had reached a critical juncture when Álvarez stepped up to take his kick.
However, what seemed like a legitimate goal at first glance was dramatically overturned after video analysis revealed an unintended double touch, leading to an indirect free-kick in Real Madrid’s favour.
Simeone: ‘Raise Your Hand If You Saw It’
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone did not hide his frustration after the match, openly questioning the controversial decision.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, he challenged the legitimacy of the VAR ruling, suggesting that even those closest to the action had not noticed Álvarez’s alleged double contact.
“Raise your hand if you saw the ball move twice,” Simeone said, addressing the media with visible frustration.
“We can watch the replays over and over, but who in real-time actually saw it? These are the kinds of moments that change games.”
The Argentine tactician, known for his passionate and defensive style of play, further suggested that the decision favoured Real Madrid, a club that has benefited from contentious VAR calls in past European fixtures.
Atlético supporters echoed their manager’s sentiments, flooding social media with claims of bias and what some labelled a “historic robbery.”
Why Was Álvarez’s Penalty Ruled Out?
According to UEFA and the International Football Association Board rules, a penalty taker must make a single clean strike when taking a spot-kick.
If the ball is touched twice before another player intervenes, the kick is considered a violation, and an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Replays showed that as Álvarez struck the ball, he lost balance, leading to an accidental second touch with his standing foot.
Although the ball still found the back of the net, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois immediately appealed for a double contact.
VAR official Pol van Boekel reviewed the footage and confirmed that Álvarez had indeed made two touches in quick succession—one with his right foot and an inadvertent follow-up with his left.
As a result, referee Szymon Marciniak had no choice but to cancel the goal.
The call had a devastating impact on Atlético’s hopes of advancing.
With the shootout still in progress, Marcos Llorente later missed his penalty, and Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger converted the decisive spot-kick, sealing a 4-2 victory in the shootout.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
