Atlético de Madrid was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after losing 4-2 in penalties to Real Madrid. The match was marked by controversy over the disallowance of a goal by Julián Álvarez due to an apparent double touch on the ball when shooting.
The Argentine player took the second shot for his team and, despite slipping, managed to score the equalizer 2-2. However, Real Madrid players claimed that Álvarez first touched the ball with his left foot before scoring with his right. The referee, with the help of VAR, decided to nullify the goal, leaving the whites ahead 2-1.
Despite the resignation of Álvarez and his teammates, Real Madrid ultimately prevailed in the penalty shootout. Ferland Mendy converted the final penalty, securing his team's qualification to the quarter-finals, where they will face Arsenal.
The controversy surrounding Álvarez's disallowed goal led to comparisons with similar situations in the past, such as Martín Palermo's penalty in 1999. The debate over whether the player touched the ball twice divided opinions and recalled previous cases, such as Pablo Solari's in the 2023 Copa Libertadores.
Amidst criticisms and analysis regarding the referee's decision, the controversy persisted and raised uncertainty about the validity of certain goals in decisive situations during high-level football matches.
