A slip, a double touch, a missed penalty. Just like that, Atletico Madrid endured yet another heartbreaking loss to rival Real Madrid in the Champions League. (Report | Highlights | More Football News)
The former Manchester City forward slipped and double-touched the ball while taking his penalty kick in the shootout against Madrid on Wednesday, resulting in the goal being erased after video review confirmed the infraction.
It would have tied the shootout 2-2. But Real Madrid eventually moved ahead 3-1 and won by a final score of 4-2 to advance to the quarterfinals and keep alive its hopes of winning the Champions League again.
The referee did not initially see the double touch but Madrid players were calling it to his attention.
What Rules Say
Article 14.1 of the IFAB (International Football Association Board) laws of the game have rules on penalties.
As per the rules, after a first touch the penalty taker 'must not play the ball again until it has touched another player'. If the infraction takes place during the game, then an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team. In a shootout, a goal doesn't count.
However, it is not clear whether Alvarez double-touched the ball.
Reactions To The Controversy
“I felt that he touched the ball twice and I told the referee," Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. “It’s not easy to see that. It was a bit of bad luck for them there."
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he did not notice the penalty but in the replays, 'it seemed that there was a second touch with his left foot'.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said he didn’t see a double touch by the Argentina international but wanted “to believe that if the VAR intervened it’s because it saw something.”
Real Keeps Up The Record Against Atletico
With yet another win, Real Madrid have kept their strong run against Atletico going in Europe.
This was the sixth time both the Madrid rivals contested a penalty shootout against each other in all competitions - Real have won every single one.
This is the fifth instance when Atletico have been knocked out of the Champions League knockout phase (including finals) by Real Madrid.
(With AP inputs)
