Real Madrid emerged victorious in a tense Madrid derby Champions League clash, defeating Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties after a controversial moment involving Julian Alvarez’s disallowed spot-kick proved decisive.
The shootout drama unfolded after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate, with Atletico winning the second leg 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano thanks to Conor Gallagher’s goal inside the opening 30 seconds.
The Penalty Shootout Controversy Explained
The controversial moment occurred during the penalty shootout when former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez stepped up to take Atletico’s fourth kick. Despite successfully firing the ball into the roof of the net, the VAR intervened for a review.
Officials determined that as Alvarez slipped during his run-up, his standing foot made slight contact with the ball before he took his shot – a clear violation of the double-touch rule. The referee immediately disallowed the goal, giving Real Madrid a crucial advantage in the shootout.
This turning point proved decisive as Carlo Ancelotti’s side capitalized on their good fortune to secure a 4-2 victory on penalties, with Antonio Rudiger converting the winning kick to send Los Blancos through to face Arsenal in the quarterfinals.
A Tight Contest Between Madrid Rivals
The match itself was a tense affair with both sides showing their quality:
- Conor Gallagher gave Atletico Madrid the perfect start, scoring inside 30 seconds from Rodrigo de Paul’s cross
- The early goal leveled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate after Real’s 2-1 win in the first leg
- Vinicius Jr missed a crucial penalty in the 70th minute, firing high and wide after Mbappe was fouled by Lenglet
- Neither side could break the deadlock in regulation or extra time, sending the match to penalties
In the shootout, Mbappe, Sorloth, and Bellingham all converted before Alvarez’s controversial moment changed the momentum. Following the disallowed penalty, Lucas Vazquez and Marcos Llorente both failed to score for their respective sides, before Rudiger sealed the win for Real Madrid.
The controversial nature of Alvarez’s disallowed penalty will likely be debated for some time, but the decision was technically correct according to the laws of the game, which prohibit a player from touching the ball twice during a penalty kick.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Real Madrid advances to face Premier League side Arsenal in an intriguing quarterfinal matchup next month. Los Blancos continue their quest to defend their Champions League crown and add to their record haul of European titles.
For Atletico Madrid, this bitter defeat ends their European campaign, with Julian Alvarez and his teammates left to focus on their domestic ambitions for the remainder of the season.
Have you ever seen a more dramatic Madrid derby in European competition? Share your thoughts on this controversial penalty decision in the comments below!