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Álvarez Penalty Secures 1-1 Draw, VAR Sparks Arsenal Outrage

5/1/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Arsenal Penalty Controversy

Arsenal and Atlético Madrid drew 1-1 in the Champions League semi-final after Julian Álvarez scored a penalty to reach ten goals, a club first.
Referee Danny Makkelie awarded Arsenal a penalty, which VAR official Dennis Higler overturned, leading manager Mikel Arteta to call the reversal unacceptable.
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone said the Arsenal penalty was unwarranted and set the second leg for Tuesday 5 May at the Emirates Stadium.

Summary

Arsenal Extends Unbeaten

Arsenal matched its 13 unbeaten Champions League games after a 1-1 draw and will host Fulham on Saturday, which could widen its league lead.
Bukayo Saka, back from Achilles injury, urged fans to go above and beyond as a win would raise Arsenal’s advantage from three to six points while Manchester City faces Everton.
Jan Oblak said Atlético must concentrate on the second leg rather than the penalty controversy.

Summary

Rice Slams Referees

Declan Rice said referees penalise teams more often in European matches than in domestic leagues, citing his Champions League experience from three years ago.
Rice added officials are quick to make decisions and blow their whistle, leaving players helpless.
Mikel Arteta said only the club can decide to raise the matter with UEFA.
Arteta said the overturned penalty is final, ending appeal, and warned it could have changed tie’s result.

Summary

Davies Backs VAR

Former referee Andy Davies said the VAR check on the Gyökeres penalty upheld the call and called Hancko’s challenge clumsy.
Stewart Robson and Craig Burley backed the VAR decision that stopped an Arsenal penalty.
Martin Keown and Steve McManaman said the review breached protocol by sending referee to the monitor.
Steve McManaman declared he hates VAR, saying it spoils the game, while Jamie Carragher warned handball rulings show VAR inconsistency.

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Arsenal Penalty Controversy

Arsenal and Atlético Madrid drew 1-1 in the Champions League semi-final after Julian Álvarez scored a penalty to reach ten goals, a club first.
Referee Danny Makkelie awarded Arsenal a penalty, which VAR official Dennis Higler overturned, leading manager Mikel Arteta to call the reversal unacceptable.
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone said the Arsenal penalty was unwarranted and set the second leg for Tuesday 5 May at the Emirates Stadium.

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