This is the moment that allowed Real Madrid to take an ascendant on Atlético this Wednesday in the 8th finish return from the Champions League. And to create a big controversy in the process. While we played a penalty shootout after the draw on all two games (2-2), the Argentinian Julian Alvarez saw his successful attempt finally canceled by the referee due to a double contact with the ball. According to law 14 of the IFAB (International Football Association Board), the body that determines and changes the rules of the football game, a shooter cannot “touch up the ball before it was hit by another player”.
A cruel scenario for the Colchoneros, who bowed a few minutes later following Antonio Rüdiger’s ultimate goal.
This Thursday, UEFA announced “initiate discussions with FIFA and IFAB” on the advisability of modifying the rule. “Atlético Madrid asked for explanations,” UEFA reported in a statement. “Under the rules in force, video assistance had to point out to the referee that the goal should be invalidated,” justified the body, video extract in support.
Statement on the VAR decision at last night’s Atlético vs Real Madrid match:
Atlético de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julián Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match… pic.twitter.com/HlVU6KwCJD
– UEFA (@uefa) March 13, 2025
Nevertheless, “UEFA will initiate discussions with FIFA and IFAB (International FIFA Council, guarantee of the regulation and its evolution, note) to assess whether the rule should be modified in case the double contact is clearly not intentional,” continued UEFA.
Real Madrid of Kylian Mbappé qualified after the penalty shootout (4-2) after a cumulative score of 2-2 on the round trips. The “White House” will face Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.