UEFA Champions Trophy 2025: Was VAR Right To Disallow Julian Alvarez's Penalty? Rules Explained

Real Madrid secured a thrilling penalty shootout victory (4-2) over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16, but the match was overshadowed by a major controversy involving VAR. Atletico’s Julian Alvarez had his penalty ruled out after VAR found that he had accidentally touched the ball twice while taking the shot.

What does the rule say about Julian Alvarez’s penalty kick?

Article 14.1 of the IFAB (International Football Association Board) laws of the game governs the penalties. As per the rule, “The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.”

Atletico coach Diego Simeone was naturally livid with the VAR decision. During the press conference he said, "The referee said when Julian got to the penalty spot he touched the ball with his standing foot, but the ball did not move,” Simeone said. “I’ve never seen a penalty where they’ve called the VAR, but well, they would have seen that he touched it. I want to believe they saw he touched it."

He added, “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. I don’t see anybody with their hand raised so that’s all I have to say… next question.”

Ral Madrid advance to next round

The match had been intense from the start, with Connor Gallagher’s early goal helping Atletico level the aggregate score after Real’s 2-1 first-leg win. With no winner in extra time, the match was decided by penalties.

Following ALvarez mistake, Fede Valverde and Atletico’s Angel Correa then scored the next ones to make it 3-2 in Real’s favour.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak later saved Lucas Vazquez’s kick to give Atletico some hope but Marcos Llorente’s miss left it for Antonio Rudiger to score and help Real Madrid qualify and knock out Atletico of the tournament.