Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg was a tale of three penalties – two given, one not, in a gripping clash in Madrid.
While Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich was a showcase of attacking brilliance, this clash was one built on fine margins.
Victor Gyokores opened the scoring in the 44th minute from the penalty spot, before Julio Alvarez levelled in the 56th minute.
Mikel Arteta thought his side was going to get the chance to go ahead from the spot when Hancko – who gave away the opening penalty as well – clipped substitute Eberechi Eze in the box in the 78th minute.
The penalty was given, but after a long review and 13 replays, it was overturned.
With the VAR screen in close proximity to Diego Simeone, the Atletico boss was up to his famous histrionics, gesticulating and whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
It prompted Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist in commentary on TNT Sports to suggest had the screen been in a different position, or if the penalty had been down the other end, a different decision would have been made, such was the intensity of Simeone’s pressure.
“Probably because of the reaction of the crowd, Simeone – I think he played a big (part),” Gerrard mused, calling it “really harsh” to have the decision overturned.
“His behaviour, he was in the referee’s eye sight.”
McCoist added: “He’s given a penalty – he’s clearly changed his mind.
“I’m telling you in my opinion, if that’s in the other box, it stays a penalty.”
“I thought the behaviour was Diego Simone and his assistants was … atrocious,” Steve McManaman added. “His behaviour was awful.”
With a penalty incident in the first semi final, where a penalty was awarded to PSG under UEFA’s different threshold for a handball rule, McCoist, who said the incident was not “a clear and obvious error” compared the two incidents and said: “I’d rather see them given for that than what we saw last night!”
Speaking on BBC Radio, Chris Sutton observed: The biggest tell for me is if you look at the award in the first half, the Atleti players were apopleptic.
“When you watch their reaction with this one, they were politely asking the referee, saying it shouldn’t be awarded.
“It will be interesting to see what Mikel Arteta has to say about this.
“Arsenal are really hard done by on a number of fronts. I’m not saying they’ve played well but I think they’ve been on the wrong end of a couple of decisions here.”
Earlier, Alvarez became the first Atletico player ever to hit double digits in the UEFA Champions League when he despatched his second half penalty after a handball from Ben White.
While that always looked a penalty, Gerrard again pointed out the difference between the UEFA and Premier League interpretation.
“I don’t think it’s a penalty in the Premier League,” Gerrard said in commentary on TNT Sports.
More to come…
📸 – When Arsenal have the ball, Atlético Madrid park the bus and when Atlético have the ball, Arsenal park the bus.
These teams are SO GOOD at defending! pic.twitter.com/1SQz69roJP — The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) April 29, 2026