The controversy arose during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, where Atletico Madrid defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in regulation and extra time, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2 and forcing a shootout. Real Madrid ultimately triumphed 4-2 in the shootout, but the turning point came when Atletico forward Julián Álvarez was penalized for a double touch on his penalty attempt.
Álvarez's left foot slightly grazed the ball before he struck it with his right foot, an infraction initially missed by the referee but later overturned by VAR. The disallowed goal proved decisive, leaving Atletico frustrated and prompting the club to formally request a review from UEFA.
UEFA confirmed the decision, stating, “Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it... Under the current rule, the VAR had to call the referee signaling that the goal should be disallowed.”
The double touch rule, designed to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by repositioning the ball during penalties, has sparked debate in similar incidents. Notably, River Plate's Pablo Solari was penalized for a double touch in the 2023 Copa Libertadores, leading to his team's elimination. However, other high-profile cases, including Lionel Messi's penalty in the 2022 World Cup final, were not disallowed despite similar concerns.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone expressed skepticism about the decision, questioning whether the double touch was clear enough to warrant intervention. “I’ve never seen VAR intervene like that in a penalty shootout,” he said, adding, “I want to believe that if the VAR intervened, it’s because it saw something.”
The incident has reignited discussions about the application of the rule, particularly in high-stakes scenarios where unintentional infractions can dramatically alter outcomes. UEFA's review could lead to potential changes aimed at balancing fairness and the spirit of the game.