Real Madrid were trying to recover from a 3-0 first-leg loss in their Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal when French referee Francois Letexier awarded them a second penalty. ..Continue Reading
Earlier, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka had failed to convert a Panenka-style penalty, with Thibaut Courtois making the save.
Later in the match, Letexier pointed to the spot again after Declan Rice appeared to pull back Mbappe inside the box.
Rice, who had scored twice in the first leg, had to endure a nervous six-minute wait while the officials reviewed the call.
Initially, the VAR team scrutinized the foul itself, but they also checked whether Mbappe was slightly offside when the ball was deflected in his direction.
TV viewers may have seen the on-screen graphic stating that the decision was reversed due to offside.
However, UEFA later clarified during the first half at the Bernabeu that the actual reason for overturning the penalty was the absence of a foul by Rice.
UEFA promptly issued a statement confirming that Letexier had changed his decision after reviewing the footage at the pitchside monitor, determining that Rice did not foul Mbappe.
Rice’s yellow card—given for the supposed foul—was also rescinded, which keeps him eligible for the semi-final first leg, should Arsenal advance.
Interestingly, Arsenal’s own penalty, taken by Saka and saved by Courtois, was also awarded only after an on-field review.
In that instance, the referee had initially missed the incident and only gave the penalty following a VAR recommendation.
