Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti believes that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) made the correct decision by disallowing Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez’s penalty during the shootout in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg clash on March 13. Alvarez’s disallowed penalty proved to be the decisive moment, as Real Madrid secured a 5-4 win on penalties after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.

The clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano was intense and dramatic, culminating in a controversial moment during the shootout. Alvarez slipped while taking his penalty, causing a double touch that led to his spot-kick being cancelled. The VAR’s decision to disallow the goal prompted frustration from the home crowd, with many fans expressing their disapproval online, arguing that Alvarez should have been allowed to retake the penalty. Speaking after the match, Ancelotti admitted that he was initially confused about the situation but later reviewed the footage and concluded that VAR made the right call.

“I think the referees had already spotted it on VAR when we realised. I didn’t see it initially, but it looks like he did touch it with his left foot when I watched it back,” Ancelotti said.

The loss on Thursday only extended the list of times Real Madrid have thumped Atletico Madrid to end their Champions League campaign, despite it carrying a positive momentum leading up to the match.

Alvarez had earlier scored Atletico’s only goal in the first leg at the Bernabeu, keeping his side’s hopes alive. Conor Gallagher’s first-minute strike in the second leg brought Atletico level on aggregate, but Real Madrid’s defence held firm. Madrid’s forward line applied pressure throughout, forcing Atletico onto the back foot. With Antonio Rudiger converting the decisive penalty, Real Madrid secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Premier League giants Arsenal in another high-stakes encounter.