Julian Alvarez’s penalty was controversially disallowed for a ‘double touch’—sparking Atletico outrage

Real Madrid knocked Atletico Madrid out of the Champions League in yet another dramatic encounter, with a controversial penalty shoot-out decision sparking fury at the Metropolitano. Julian Alvarez’s spot-kick was disallowed after a VAR review ruled that he had struck the ball twice, leaving Atletico players and fans stunned. The decision handed Real Madrid a decisive advantage, and they capitalised, winning the shoot-out 4-2 to book their place in the quarter-finals.

The second leg had been on a knife-edge from the start, with Conor Gallagher scoring for Atletico inside the first minute. That early goal cancelled out Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at the Bernabeu, setting up a tense battle in which neither side could find a winner. Extra time failed to separate the two teams, and penalties were required to settle the contest.

Real Madrid struck first from the spot, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham converting their efforts. Alexander Sorloth scored Atletico’s first penalty, before Alvarez stepped up for what would become the night’s most controversial moment. As he ran up to strike the ball, the Argentine forward slipped, making awkward contact. The ball still soared into the net, but the celebration was cut short.

Referee Szymon Marciniak halted the shoot-out after receiving a call from VAR. The officials checked whether Alvarez had made a second touch as he slipped, which would constitute an illegal penalty. Although the initial television replays were inconclusive, the review concluded that Alvarez’s left foot had nudged the ball before he struck it properly with his right. The penalty was disallowed, leaving Atletico trailing 2-1.

Confusion erupted inside the stadium. Atletico fans initially cheered, unaware that the goal had been overturned. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois revealed that he had spotted the double touch in real-time and had alerted the referee.

“I sensed that Alvarez touched the ball twice, and I told the referee,” Courtois later explained. “It’s bad luck for them, but the rule is the rule.”

Diego Simeone was livid. The Atletico manager raged against the decision in his post-match press conference, demanding clear proof.

“I’ve never seen VAR intervene in a penalty shoot-out like this,” he fumed. “Who here saw him touch the ball twice? Show me an image that proves it—because I haven’t seen one.”

Adding to the frustration, television replays did not clearly confirm the double touch. Unlike the ball used at the World Cup, which contains a built-in chip to detect such incidents, the Champions League ball lacks that technology. However, UEFA’s semi-automated offside system may have provided the necessary evidence using AI and in-stadium cameras.

Real Madrid continued to convert their penalties, with Fede Valverde making it 3-1. Angel Correa briefly gave Atletico hope, but Marcos Llorente’s effort struck the bar, handing Antonio Rudiger the chance to seal victory. His shot slipped through Jan Oblak’s gloves, trickling over the line to confirm Real Madrid’s passage to the quarter-finals.

For Atletico, it was another devastating Champions League exit at the hands of their fiercest rivals. Real Madrid have now eliminated them in five consecutive knockout ties, including the 2014 and 2016 finals. The sense of injustice was clear, with Atletico fans left wondering if fortune would ever favour them in this fixture.

Former Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman summed up the night’s events, acknowledging the fine margins.

“Real Madrid always find a way. Alvarez slipping, a penalty ruled out, Rudiger’s shot creeping in—it’s just their competition, isn’t it?”

Atletico’s agony continues, while Real Madrid march on in search of yet another Champions League crown.