Atlético Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid but failed to advance to the quarter-finals after losing 4-2 in the penalty shootout. The match took a controversial turn when Atlético Madrid had a penalty goal disallowed due to a double-touch violation. This decision sparked frustration among fans and the club alike.
In an official statement, Atlético Madrid expressed their disappointment:
“We understand that a VAR error will not change the final result. Regardless of how evident the mistake may be, the score remains. However, we deeply regret this incident and its impact on our team. It has shattered the hopes of millions of fans and undermined the extraordinary effort of our players.”
Despite UEFA’s explanation, Atlético Madrid remains unconvinced, arguing that:
- Available camera angles did not clearly show the ball moving before the strike.
- VAR should only intervene in cases of clear and obvious errors, yet the decision was made in just 45 seconds.
The club concluded:
“It is not in Atlético’s DNA to make excuses or shift the focus elsewhere. We are already looking ahead to our next challenge—Sunday’s match against Barcelona.”
