A major controversy unfolded during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid. The dramatic encounter at the Metropolitano Stadium saw Atlético’s Julián Álvarez have his penalty disallowed following a VAR review, a decision that left fans and players stunned.
The incident occurred during the tense penalty shootout when Álvarez stepped up to take his spot-kick. Initially, it appeared that he had successfully converted the penalty, sending the ball past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, VAR officials intervened, leading to the goal being ruled out.
Why Was the Goal Disallowed?
According to the rules set by UEFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a penalty taker is allowed only a single clean strike on the ball. If they make a second contact with the ball before another player touches it, the goal is disallowed, and an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Replays showed that as Álvarez struck the ball, he lost his footing, causing his standing foot to make an accidental second touch before the ball crossed the line. Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Courtois, immediately pointed out the possible infraction, prompting VAR to review the footage. After a detailed analysis, VAR official Pol van Boekel confirmed the double touch, leading referee Szymon Marciniak to overturn the goal.
Atlético Madrid’s head coach, Diego Simeone, was visibly frustrated with the decision and questioned its validity in his post-match press conference.
“Raise your hand if you saw the ball move twice,” Simeone said, expressing his disbelief. “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.”
Atlético fans also took to social media to express their frustration, with many accusing UEFA of favoring Real Madrid. Some supporters labeled the call a “historic robbery,” while others claimed similar incidents had been ignored in the past.
The disallowed goal proved to be a turning point in the shootout. With momentum swinging in Real Madrid’s favor, Atlético’s Marcos Llorente later missed his penalty, while Antonio Rüdiger sealed a 4-2 victory for Madrid by converting the decisive spot-kick.
The loss meant Atlético was eliminated from the competition, while Real Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals.
Álvarez’s disallowed penalty is not the first time a double touch has led to a goal being ruled out. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, including:
Riyad Mahrez (2019, Leicester vs. Man City) – Mahrez’s penalty was ruled out after the ball hit his standing foot before entering the net.
John Egan (2021, Sheffield United) – Egan lost balance while taking a penalty, resulting in a double touch that led to the goal being disallowed.
Aleksandar Mitrović (2021, Serbia vs. Portugal) – Mitrović slipped while striking a penalty, leading to an accidental second contact and a disallowed goal.
