Fans of Atletico Madrid, close your eyes now because, unfortunately, it happened again. Los Rojiblancos have met their arch-cross-city rivals, Real Madrid, five times in the UEFA Champions League in the last 11 years. They have lost on each occasion.
We all remember those final defeats in Lisbon and Milan back in 2014 and 2016, respectively, but perhaps this year’s round of 16 defeat is the most sickening of the lot. Atleti headed into the home leg of their two-legged tie against their more illustrious big brother trailing by a solitary goal, and that was wiped out after 30 seconds when Conor Gallagher gave Diego Simeone’s side an early lead. The goal tied things up on aggregate at two goals apiece, and that’s how it stayed right up until the penalty shootout, when controversy took over.
Alvarez’s Penalty Controversially Ruled Out
After successful spotkicks from Kylian Mbappe, Alexander Sorloth, and Jude Bellingham, Julian Alvarez stepped up for Atletico in a bid to tie the score in the shootout at 2-2. It looked as if he had succeeded when he blasted the ball into the roof of the net. But drama lay around the corner.
VAR looked to reveal that the Argentinian had struck his spot kick twice, initially hitting the ball with his slipping left foot before his right foot struck as planned. Replays after the game appeared inconclusive, but that didn’t stop VAR from controversially ruling out the spot-kick and handing Real the initiative. It was an advantage they wouldn’t surrender, and the reigning champions now duly press on to a quarterfinal, while Diego Simeone and Atletico are left enraged.
Following their victory, online sportsbook providers have slashed the odds on Los Blancos winning a record-extending 16th Champions League crown this term. The latest odds from Thunderpick sportsbook make them a 4/6 favorite to defeat Arsenal over two-legs in the quarters, as well as a 7/2 contender to win the tournament outright. A lot of fans will be eagerly following to see if the odds are maintained.
For Atletico, however, they join the long list of teams to have been controversially knocked out of the continent’s premier competition. Let’s see who else is on that list…
Luis Garcia’s Ghost Goal Sends Liverpool to Istanbul
Back in 2005, Liverpool met Chelsea in an all-English semi-final that gripped the continent. The two iconic sides were heading in opposite directions at the time. Rafa Benitez’s Reds were down in fifth place in the Premier League table and struggling to keep up with the top four. Jose Mourinho’s Blues, meanwhile, were about to claim the title for the first time in half a century, and they were doing so in record-breaking fashion.
Despite the seeming disparity between the two teams, Liverpool managed to secure a goalless draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, leaving it all to play for in the second leg at Anfield. The Blues were still favored to progress, but their hopes were dashed in the fourth minute when Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia bundled the ball goalwards after a goalmouth scramble. Even with modern technology two decades later, it’s still impossible to determine whether the ball actually crossed the line or not, but the referee had seen enough and awarded the hosts the all-important opening goal.
Chelsea pressed and pressed but they were unable to find a way through Benitez’s stifling tactics, and it was the Reds who clung on for a memorable victory. A month later, they went on to complete the Miracle of Istanbul, overturning a 3-0 deficit against AC Milan to eventually triumph on penalties.
Gianluigi Buffon Says Referee Michael Oliver Has a “Bag of Rubbish” For a Heart After Real Madrid Awarded Last-Minute Penalty
The second leg of the 2018 quarter-final between Real Madrid and Juventus looked like a foregone conclusion. Los Blancos claimed a resounding 3-0 victory in the first leg in Turin, and they were expected to get the job done quite simply in the return fixture. Then, the unthinkable happened.
A Mario Mandzukic first-half brace brought the Bianconeri back to life and gave the hosting Los Blancos plenty to think about. On the hour mark, they were stunningly three goals ahead after Blaise Matuidi struck, and the game looked set to head to extra time with an aggregate score of 3-3. However, in the game’s dying embers, referee Michael Oliver controversially awarded Real Madrid a last-gasp penalty after defender Mehdi Benatia tangled with winger Lucas Vazquez inside the six-yard box.
The decision incensed Juve’s long-serving captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, with the Italian aggressively voicing his concerns about it. He was duly sent off for his troubles, but Cristiano Ronaldo managed to keep his head amid the chaos, sweeping home from the spot in the 98th minute to hand his side the victory. After the game, Buffon famously stated that the referee had a “bag of rubbish” for a heart, a comment for which he was charged by UEFA.
