In a dramatic turn of events during the Champions League clash between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, a pivotal moment arose during the penalty shootout when Atlético’s Julián Álvarez had his penalty disallowed after a VAR review. This decision has sparked controversy and elicited strong reactions, particularly from Atlético’s manager, Diego Simeone.
During the penalty shootout, Álvarez approached his spot-kick but slipped at the crucial moment. Despite the slip, the ball found its way into the net. However, Real Madrid players immediately protested, claiming that Álvarez had made contact with the ball twice due to his slip. After a VAR review, it was determined that Álvarez had indeed touched the ball twice, leading to the disallowance of the penalty. This decision played a significant role in Atlético’s eventual 4-2 defeat in the shootout, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Post-match, Diego Simeone expressed his frustration over the decision. In the press conference, he challenged the media by asking, “Raise your hand if you saw that Julián touched the ball twice in the penalty. Come on! And? Ready? Nobody raises theirs. Another question.” Simeone further commented on the rarity of such decisions being influenced by VAR, stating, “I’ve never seen a penalty called by VAR, but it’s still valid, and they’ll have seen that he touched it.”
According to the Laws of the Game, during a penalty kick, the ball must be kicked forward, and the kicker cannot touch the ball again until it has touched another player. If the kicker accidentally makes contact with the ball twice—such as slipping and touching it with both feet—it results in an indirect free kick for the opposing team from the spot of the infringement.
The enforcement of this rule in such a high-stakes moment has led to widespread debate. While some argue that the decision was technically correct, others believe it was a harsh application of the rule, especially given the circumstances. The incident has reignited discussions about the role of VAR in modern football and its impact on the game’s fluidity and fairness.
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals, leaving Atlético Madrid to reflect on a night where fine margins and strict rule enforcement played a decisive role in their Champions League exit.
