Real Madrid triumphed over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, yet the match was marked by controversies, particularly surrounding Julian Alvarez’s penalty kick. In a crucial moment, Alvarez, the second to shoot for Atletico, found the back of the net, seemingly equalizing the penalty score at 2-2 after a hard-fought regular time that ended in a 2-2 tie.

However, the referee announced an ongoing review of Alvarez’s conversion, leading to Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde taking the next penalty and scoring, resulting in a sudden shift to a 3-1 lead for Real Madrid. The referee confirmed that Alvarez’s kick was disallowed due to a double-touch.

Review of the Call

The regulation regarding penalties clearly states that the ball must move upon being kicked and should not be touched again until it’s been played by another player. Alvarez’s situation was scrutinized using VAR technology, a modern tool that has become vital in sporting contexts. As outlined by rules analyst Christina Unkel, the second check in their system ensured accuracy beyond human observation.

“The VAR has semi-automated offside technology that can determine whether there are multiple touches on the ball.” — Christina Unkel

Overall, the disallowed penalty and subsequent actions highlight the complexities and technologies surrounding modern soccer officiating. Real Madrid will face Arsenal in the quarterfinals, resuming Champions League action in April. You can watch all the UCL coverage on Paramount+.