UEFA has explained that Julian Alvarez’s controversial penalty for Atletico versus Real Madrid was disallowed purely by VAR, not a chip in the ball.
World Cup-winning Argentina international Alvarez stepped up for the Rojiblancos during an epic shootout with defending European champions Real at Metropolitano Stadium. His effort hit the back of the net despite slipping as he scored.
Fede Valverde then made his way forward for the Blancos, but saw his spot-kick delayed as a VAR review was carried out. It was determined that Alvarez had touched the ball twice before converting his effort, with his standing foot making contact before hooking in with his right boot.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois claimed to have alerted the officials to possible foul play, saying: “I sense that (Alvarez) touched the ball twice and I told the referee. It’s not easy to see and it’s bad luck for them.” Atletico boss Diego Simeone was, however, fuming afterwards as he said: “I’ve never seen the VAR called to review a penalty in a shootout… Never! 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!”
Initial replays of the incident were inconclusive, leading to the initial anger on Atletico’s part, but videos shot from behind the goal did show that Alvarez touched the ball with his left foot when trying to plant that and seeing it slide.
There were claims from some that a chip inside the ball had allowed the officials to make a huge call – with UEFA and FIFA using that technology at European Championship and World Cup events. That was, however, not the case on this occasion as the Champions League ball is not fitted with said chip.
There are 30 in-stadium cameras that are used in the semi-automated offside system, and they may have helped to determine the “kick-point” of Alvarez, but Miguel Delaney posted on social media: “UEFA saying it is just VAR – so using replays – to confirm double-touch on a penalty No sensors used, or other tech”.
Atletico, who won 1-0 on the night after seeing Conor Gallagher score inside the opening minute and Vinicius Junior sky a penalty of his own during normal time, suffered a 4-2 defeat in the shootout – allowing Real to march on into the Champions League quarter-finals and a meeting with Premier League giants Arsenal.
