The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid sparked controversy after Julián Álvarez’s penalty was disallowed following a VAR intervention. The decision played a pivotal role in Atlético’s elimination and ignited outrage among fans, pundits, and even Atlético’s head coach, Diego Simeone.
The Incident
Álvarez stepped up to take his kick during the penalty shootout at the Metropolitano Stadium. 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 favor.
Simeone’s Reaction
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 Rule
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.
VAR Intervention
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.
Aftermath
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.
Fan Reaction
The ruling set off a firestorm of reactions on social media, with many Atlético supporters and observers questioning whether the decision was consistent with how other similar incidents had been judged.
Precedents
There are precedents for penalties being ruled out due to a double touch or VAR intervention. Notable examples include:
1. Riyad Mahrez’s Disallowed Penalty – Leicester City vs. Manchester City (2019)
2. Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez’s ‘Trick Penalty’ – Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo (2016)
3. Kylian Mbappé’s Retaken Penalty – France vs. Switzerland (EURO 2020)
4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s VAR-Penalized Kick – Arsenal vs. Manchester City (2020)
5. John Egan’s Accidental Double Touch – Sheffield United (2021)
6. Mitrović’s Infamous Double Touch – Serbia vs. Portugal (2021 World Cup Qualifiers)
Key Takeaway
Julián Álvarez’s disallowed penalty was not an unprecedented event. Football history has seen several instances where a double contact nullified a goal. While rare, these occurrences highlight the strict nature of penalty execution rules and VAR’s increasing role in enforcing them.