Controversial VAR ruling disallows Julián Álvarez's penalty in Champions League

In Spain, Atlético Madrid faced Real Madrid in a high-stakes Champions League encounter on March 12, 2025. Following a 1-0 victory in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie, Atlético leveled the aggregate score at 2-2, leading to a penalty shootout. julián álvarez stepped up to take the second penalty for Atlético, scoring what appeared to be a goal. However, following a VAR review, the referee ruled that álvarez had made a double touch with his standing foot before completing the kick. The decision sparked confusion and outrage both on the pitch and among the spectators, as many felt the infringement was minimal and did not significantly impact the outcome. The disallowed penalty proved pivotal, as Atlético was ultimately eliminated after Real Madrid won the shootout 4-2. Players and officials were left questioning the clarity of the rules regarding double touches, particularly during such critical moments in a match. The incident raised broader discussions about the effectiveness of VAR and whether the rules should be reevaluated, as controversy surrounded the clarity of Álvarez's touch on the ball. Atlético Madrid's coach, Diego Simeone, expressed his frustration with the decision, stating a lack of conclusive evidence that Álvarez had touched the ball twice. He emphasized that he was proud of his team's performance and questioned whether the call was justified. Meanwhile, Real Madrid's goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, claimed he had alerted the referee about his suspicions regarding the double touch. The outcome marked yet another disappointing exit for Atlético Madrid in the Champions League at the hands of their cross-town rivals, continuing a trend of unfortunate eliminations in prior years. It highlighted the emotional toll of such controversial calls in high-stakes matches, leaving both players and fans in a limbo of disbelief. This controversy has reignited discussions within the football community about the need for potential modifications to the rules governing penalties, especially concerning the standards of intervention by VAR during penalty shootouts.