Atletico Madrid’s Champions League journey came to a controversial halt following a dramatic penalty shootout against fierce city rivals Real Madrid a match that will be remembered not for the goals, but for a rare and costly rules infraction involving Julian Alvarez.
VAR Intervenes in a Pivotal Moment
In a shootout already charged with tension, Julian Alvarez appeared to have leveled the score at 2-2 with a strike that rocketed into the top-left corner. But the celebrations were short-lived.
The Unseen Second Touch
Replays revealed that Alvarez had slipped while taking the penalty, causing his standing foot to make contact with the ball before his kicking foot followed through. According to the IFAB laws of the game specifically Article 14.1 a penalty taker may not touch the ball twice before it contacts another player. As a result, the goal was disallowed with no option for a retake, handing Real Madrid a critical edge in the shootout. They went on to win 4-2.
The Match in Context
With the tie locked at 2-2 on aggregate after 90 minutes and extra time, the fate of both teams came down to penalties. The pressure was immense, and each kick carried the weight of knockout-stage survival.
- Conor Gallagher had earlier leveled the tie just 27 seconds in.
- After three successful penalties from both sides, Alvarez stepped up with the chance to equalize at 2-2.
- His double touch was flagged after a VAR review, leaving Real with a 3-1 lead instead.
Although Jan Oblak kept Atletico’s hopes alive by saving Lucas Vazquez’s penalty, Marcos Llorente’s miss and Antonio Rudiger’s clincher sealed Real’s progression.
Rules and Reactions
The rule Alvarez violated is not obscure but it’s rarely enforced. According to IFAB’s Article 14:
“The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.”
Usually, this law is referenced when a penalty hits the post and the taker scores from the rebound. But in this case, it was a technical foul committed in a single, albeit accidental, movement.
Diego Simeone: Skeptical but Reserved
Atletico coach Diego Simeone expressed doubts about the decision but refrained from openly criticizing the officials:
“The referee said he touched the ball with his standing foot, but the ball didn’t move. I’ve never seen VAR called for this, but they must’ve seen something. I want to believe that.”
Carlo Ancelotti and Courtois Support VAR Call
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti stood by the decision, saying the officials had already detected the infraction before any protest. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois added:
“He slipped and touched the ball twice that’s bad luck, but those are the rules.”
Not the First Time: A Rare But Real Precedent
While rare, similar infractions have occurred before in top-tier football:
- Riyad Mahrez (2017): Slipped during a penalty for Leicester City against Manchester City, hitting the ball twice goal disallowed.
- Aleksandar Mitrovic (2023): Committed the same error for Fulham, costing them in a 1-0 loss to Newcastle.
- Bojan Miovski (Scottish Premiership): Scored despite a double touch VAR allowed the goal to stand, sparking debate.
Post-Match Tensions and Reflections
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who was present at the Metropolitano, said the aftermath was tense but largely controlled. According to him, Real Madrid maintained composure, while Atletico players especially Oblak accepted the decision.
Mbappe and Vinicius Jr: Missed Opportunities
During normal time, Real Madrid had their own penalty drama. Kylian Mbappe declined to take a spot-kick due to injury, passing the responsibility to Vinicius Jr, who missed by firing over the bar. It was a night full of pressure, missteps, and missed chances for both sides.
Real Madrid’s Knockout Streak Over Atletico Continues
The victory was another chapter in Real’s dominance over their rivals in Europe:
- Real Madrid have now won all six penalty shootouts against Atletico in all competitions.
- This marks the fifth time Atletico have been eliminated by Real Madrid in Champions League knockout rounds.
- Only Bayern Munich (7 eliminations) have been knocked out more times by a single opponent in the UCL.
Julian Alvarez’s slip will be remembered not just for its misfortune, but for the critical role it played in deciding one of the tightest knockout fixtures in recent memory. As Real Madrid move one step closer to their 16th European crown, Atletico are once again left to reflect on how the finest of margins and the strictest interpretations of the rules can decide fates on football’s grandest stage.
