The European Football Association (UEFA) has confirmed that the decision to disallow Julian Alvarez's goal in the Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid was correct. Alvarez unintentionally touched the ball twice while taking a penalty, as determined by the review of the VAR footage.

"Although minimal, the player touched the ball with his standing foot before striking it, as shown in the video attached to the statement," UEFA reported.

Atletico Madrid consulted UEFA after Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, with the help of VAR technology, disallowed Alvarez's goal during the penalty shootout in the Champions League round of 16. The footage clearly shows that the Argentine striker accidentally moved the ball with his left foot before striking it with his right foot and sending it into the net.

While the situation was not entirely clear during the television broadcast, UEFA provided additional video evidence confirming the double touch. "According to current rules, VAR had to alert the referee to indicate the foul and disallow the goal. UEFA, in cooperation with FIFA and IFAB, will consider whether the rule should be re-evaluated in cases where the double touch is clearly unintentional," UEFA stated.

Atletico Madrid won the return leg 1-0 after the regular 90 minutes and extra time, compensating for the 1-2 loss in the first match. However, after the penalty shootout, Real Madrid secured their place in the quarterfinals, where they will face London’s Arsenal.

ai-translated