Rodrygo reveals how Real Madrid bench spotted Julian Alvarez’s penalty blunder -‘It was funny’ | OneFootball

The Champions League showdown between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid had no shortage of drama, but the defining moment came during the penalty shootout.

The tension was at its peak when Julian Alvarez stepped up to take his spot-kick, only for it to be ruled out due to an unusual double touch.

For a few seconds, confusion spread across the stadium, with even the Real Madrid bench momentarily unsure of what had happened.

Rodrygo’s take on the incident

Rodrygo, who had been substituted earlier in the game, shared his perspective on the incident while speaking to Brazilian media.

He described how the players on the bench were closely watching the penalty and immediately noticed something unusual.

“It was funny. I was on the bench with my teammates watching, and the way the ball came off his boots was really strange like he’d touched it twice,” he told TNT Sports Brazil.

As the ball left Alvarez’s boot, it took an unexpected trajectory, making it seem as though he had struck it twice.

The Real Madrid substitutes had a clear view from behind and immediately reacted, shouting to alert the referee about the infringement.

“There was a ruckus, we had a camera behind us, and they started shouting, ‘Two touches, two touches.’

“We started putting pressure on the referee. He saw it, and sure enough, there were two touches. I’d never seen that before,” he added.

About the match

Reflecting on the game, Rodrygo acknowledged how difficult it had been to overcome Atletico.

There were periods when Madrid had to focus solely on defending, struggling to break through the opposition’s defensive structure. However, in the end, securing victory was the most important thing.

“It was crazy. It’s always difficult to get out of a Champions League tie. There were many moments where we practically had to defend.

“Others where we couldn’t get into their box. In the end, we won, which is what matters,” he noted.

Vinicius’ missed penalty

Vinicius Jr. missed a penalty against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Another key moment in the penalty shootout was Vinicius Jr.’s missed attempt. Rodrygo explained that his teammate was naturally disappointed after failing to convert but was able to move past it quickly.

“He’s fine. It’s normal to have a drop in confidence when you miss a penalty.”

Despite the miss, Vinicius continued to give his best on the pitch, contributing to the team’s overall performance.

“He’s fine, happy with the win. Even though he missed a penalty, we won the shootout, and that’s the most important thing.”

Facing Arsenal

Looking ahead, Real Madrid now faces Arsenal in the next stage of the tournament.

Rodrygo acknowledged the challenge ahead, recognising that the Premier League side has been performing exceptionally well in both domestic and European competitions.

“Arsenal? It’s going to be tough, as always in these Champions League qualifiers. They’re doing a great job both in Europe and the Premier League,” he explained.

With a place in the semi-finals at stake, Madrid will need to be at their absolute best to overcome another tough opponent.