Europe UEFA Explains Why Julian Alvarez’s Penalty Was Disallowed in UCL Shootout

UEFA clarified that Julian Alvarez's disallowed penalty in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League shootout loss to Real Madrid was decided through VAR, not ball-tracking technology. Video replays confirmed Alvarez accidentally touched the ball twice before scoring. Atletico’s Diego Simeone criticized the decision, but Real Madrid advanced to the quarter-finals.

UEFA has explained why Julian Alvarez’s penalty was overturned in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League shootout defeat to Real Madrid, confirming that the decision was based on VAR review rather than any chip inside the ball.

During the tense penalty shootout, Alvarez slipped while striking the ball, leading to concerns that he may have touched it twice. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois immediately raised the issue with the referee, prompting a VAR review. Slow-motion footage confirmed that Alvarez’s left foot accidentally made contact before he completed the shot with his right foot, leading to the disallowance.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone was furious with the decision, arguing that he had never seen VAR intervene in a penalty shootout. Fans and analysts initially speculated that UEFA used ball-tracking technology to make the call, similar to systems employed in the World Cup. However, UEFA clarified that no sensors or chips were involved—only video replays.

Despite winning 1-0 in regular time, Atletico lost 4-2 in the shootout, allowing Real Madrid to advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Arsenal.