Julian Alvarez’s penalty was chalked off by VAR as Atletico Madrid were controversially dumped out of the Champions League by rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday. The Argentinian bravely stepped up to the spot from 12 yards out and slipped as he took his shot. His strike still managed to beat Thibaut Courtois despite the nervy moment, as the former Manchester City star only just stayed on his feet. But a VAR review of the penalty appeared to show the forward touch the ball twice in one movement, which effectively left the referee Szymon Marciniak with no option but to disallow the penalty – prompting furious reactions from Atletico.
The fans in the ground were also seemingly unaware that the official had ruled out the penalty as it did not appear on the board. Armed with a 3-1 lead, it gave Real a huge advantage for the rest of the shootout, Lucas Vazquez saw his spot-kick saved by Jan Oblak, but Marcos Llorente hit the crossbar and that allowed Antonio Rudiger to be the hero. The German’s effort was unconvincing but it bobbled over the line after squirming out of Oblak’s gloves, sparking wild celebrations from the Real bench. Only yards away, Diego Simeone roared furiously at the officials as Atletico were left to lick their wounds after the unfortunate rule denied them a chance to go through.
TNT Sports commentator Sam Matterface pondered the question when the penalty was being checked: “In a penalty shootout, a VAR check for an irregular kick. Did he double tap it? If that’s the case no goal.”
His co-commentator Steve McManaman reacted with astonishment, adding: “Oh my word, please! That cannot happen on a night like this! Surely not on a night like this.”
Penalties were the theme of the night at the Civitas Metropolitano after Clement Lenglet fouled Kylian Mbappe, giving Real the chance to level the tie. They trailed after 30 seconds when ex-Chelsea man Conor Gallagher stabbed home from close range. But Vinicius Junior skied his effort, which would’ve been enough to send Real through after they won 2-1 in the first leg.
Vinicius’ miss was one of few chances Carlo Ancelotti’s men had as they waited until the end of 90 minutes before stepping up. Despite going for the jugular, both sides seemed happy to let a shootout decide things. Kylian Mbappe and Alexander Sorloth both scored confidently from the spot, before Jude Bellingham made it 2-1. Alvarez did find the net, only for his penalty to be cruelly chalked off.
Federico Valverde and Angel Correa made it 3-2 before Vaquez had his effort saved and Llorente crashed his against the upright. Rudiger stepped up with the chance to be a hero and, despite some good fortune, it proved to be Real’s night.
Vinicius, who had been jeered for the majority of the game, hit back at Atletico’s fans and rubbed the salt in the wounds. The Brazilian star gestured a reminder that they have zero Champions League trophies, confronted the crowd and pointed to the badge, and placed a Madrid sure on the ground so he could point to it.
Simeone will no doubt have some work on his hands to pick Alvarez up off the floor after the £82million signing’s unfortunate slip. In January, he raved about the 25-year-old, saying: “He’s got incredible experience. He’s a player with a present, and an even better future. Let’s hope we can help him as a team, and he can keep having the humility he has to be able to keep running, working and fighting for everything, because I have no doubt that as the years go by, it will leave him in a special place at this club.”
