Julian Alvarez’s two-touch penalty: How Atletico lost to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League | Football News

Atletico Madrid were left to rue a bitter loss to city rivals Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League despite a superb performance that saw them win the second leg 1-0 to square the tie 2-2 on aggregate. Julian Alvarez’s spot kick was controversially ruled out in Atletico’s shoot-out defeat to Real Madrid. Alvarez was second on Atletico’s l of penalty takers in their Champions League last-16 shoot-out.
The Argentine stepped up from 12 yards and right before the kick, he slipped a bit but despite that, speared his penalty just beneath the crossbar past a helpless Real Madrid keeper Thibault Courtois.
Atletico fans were celebrating, but seconds before Fede Valverde fired home Real’s next penalty, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak indicated Alvarez’s spot-kick had been ruled out as the video assant referee (VAR) got involved.
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A review of the incident showed the forward touched the ball twice in one movement as he slipped while shooting.
Although Atletico keeper Oblak saved Lucas Vazquez’s spot-kick gave Atletico hope, Marcos Llorente hit the bar for the hosts and Antonio Rudiger sent Real through in a tense finale.
Atletico coach Simeone cast doubt on the decision.
“The referee said when Julian got to the penalty spot he touched the ball with his standing foot, but the ball did not move,” he said. “I’ve never seen a penalty where they’ve called the VAR, but well, they would have seen that he touched it. I want to believe they saw he touched it.
“Did you see him touching the ball twice? Please whoever was present in the stadium and saw him touching the ball twice, the ball moving, please come forward and raise your hand. I don’t see anybody with their hand raised so that’s all I have to say… next question.”Story continues below this ad
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, was satisfied with the decision.
“They detected it. When we realised there was this doubt they had already detected it on VAR,” he added. “I saw it, I think he touches it with his left foot, a second touch.”
Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois said he felt there was something weird with the kick. He told Uefa.com: “I felt that there was something weird going on, so we said it straight to the referee and then it was confirmed that there was a double touch and it didn’t count, so that obviously gives us the edge.
“You cannot touch the ball twice. That’s bad luck, but it’s the rules.” Real Madrid will now face Arsenal in the quarterfinal in what promises to be a pulsating encounter.