Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe’s immediate reaction to Julian Alvarez’s penalty has gone viral.
Controversy erupted at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday night as Atletico Madrid faced their bitter rivals Real Madrid in a tense Champions League round of 16 clash.
Conor Gallagher’s lone goal forced the high-stakes match into a penalty shootout, setting the stage for a dramatic finish between the Spanish giants.
During the decisive shootout, Julian Alvarez’s penalty became the center of attention when VAR officials disallowed his attempt. Slow-motion replays revealed the Argentine striker appeared to make contact with the ball twice during his kick – a clear violation of penalty rules.
Mbappe’s Eagle-Eyed Reaction Captures Fans’ Attention
Following the match, footage circulated online showing Kylian Mbappe’s instant reaction to Alvarez’s controversial spot kick. The French superstar initially looked away in disappointment when Alvarez scored, but quickly turned back, gesturing with two fingers while appearing to say “Dos toques” (Spanish for “Two touches”).
Most impressively, Mbappe spotted the infraction from the halfway line before immediately approaching the referee to report the violation. By then, teammates Lucas Vazquez and Raul Asencio were already engaged in conversation with the official about the suspected double touch.
Social Media Reaction to Mbappe’s Quick Observation
Football fans across social media platforms were impressed by Mbappe’s attentiveness:
- “Mbappe has sharp eyes,” commented one supporter
- “Captain Mbappe I’m hearing,” noted another
- “From the halfway line, that’s insane,” a third fan remarked
- “Sharp eyes caught it instantly!” observed another viewer
When asked about the controversial moment in his post-match interview, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti offered a philosophical response: “Football… It’s very strange. He touches it, he takes two touches because he shoots with his right and touches with his left. It’s a lottery.”
Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone appeared less convinced by the decision, stating: “When he plants his foot and kicks, the ball doesn’t move even a little bit. But if VAR called it, I’ve never seen a penalty called by VAR, but it’s still valid, and they’ll have seen that he touched it. I want to believe they’ll have seen that he touched it.”
The incident highlights the increasing role of technology in modern football’s biggest competitions, where even the smallest infractions can be detected and penalized. It also demonstrates Mbappe’s complete awareness of the game’s details, even under championship pressure.
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