Again, Real Madrid have come under scrutiny and desertion following the penalty incident at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Wednesday night seeing Julian Alvarez penalty chunked off by VAR for a controversial “double-kick” which seems to be an impediment to the home team.
The UEFA body has approved the decision of the VAR saying there was a double touch, however, in some quarters the incident proved to be one of the biggest robberies in football’s history.
Here are a list of football robberies you should know
- Robin van Persie’s red card vs Barcelona
Van Persie was shown a second yellow card at the Camp Nou for having a shot about a millisecond after the referee blew the whistle for offside. Arsenal were 3-2 ahead on aggregate at the time before they crashed out with 10 men.
2. Thierry Henry’s handball vs Ireland
In a World Cup qualifier, Henry’s handball saw France triumph over Ireland and the Irish haven’t forgotten about it.
3. Harry Maguire for £80m
Some Man United fans till today argue that Harry Maguire’s signing is considered a robbery following his performances with the club.
4. Italy vs South Korea at the 2002 World Cup
Football fans around the globe have reasons to believe that Italy were robbed in the quarter finals of the 2002 World Cup against South Korea.
5. Diego Maradona’s handball against England
1986 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and England, Diego Maradona controversially scored the opening goal with a handball, later dubbed the “Hand of God,”which the referee missed, and Argentina went on to win 2-1.
6. Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ vs Germany in 2010 World Cup
Lampard’s infamous long-range ‘goal’ in England’s last-16 defeat against Germany was not given despite the ball bouncing over the line after hitting the underside of the bar.
Had the goal been given, England would have been level at 2-2 just before half-time but Capello’s side went on to lose 4-1 in Bloemfontein – a result the Italian feels may have been different if Lampard’s strike had stood.
7. The game that ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run vs Man Utd
The “Battle of the Buffet” refers to Manchester United’s 2–0 win over Arsenal on 24 October 2004, ending Arsenal’s 49-match unbeaten run. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a controversial penalty after Wayne Rooney was deemed to have been fouled, though Arsenal fans believed Rooney had dived.
8. Chelsea vs Barcelona in 2009
The Chelsea vs Barcelona match in the 2009 UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg ended in controversy. Chelsea led through Michael Essien’s early goal but had several penalty appeals denied by referee Tom Henning Øvrebø. In stoppage time, Andrés Iniesta scored a crucial equalizer, giving Barcelona a 1–1 draw and advancing them to the final on away goals. Chelsea players and fans were furious over the refereeing decisions.
“IT’S A DISGRACE!” screamed Didier Drogba.
9. Luis Suarez’s handball vs Ghana in the 2010 World Cup
In the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal between Uruguay and Ghana, Luis Suárez deliberately handled the ball on the goal line in extra time to prevent a winning goal. Suárez was sent off, but Asamoah Gyan missed the resulting penalty. Uruguay went on to win the match in a penalty shootout, denying Ghana a historic semifinal spot.
10. Alvarez cancelled penalty kick
Some parties believe the 2025 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid was another robbery, after Julián Álvarez’s penalty was controversially disallowed during the shootout. Álvarez slipped while taking the penalty, causing the ball to make contact with both his right and left foot before going into the net. According to the Laws of the Game, a penalty kick must be struck with a single touch; any double contact, even if accidental, results in the penalty being ruled out. After a VAR review confirmed the double touch, the goal was annulled. This decision proved pivotal as Real Madrid capitalized on the mistake, winning the shootout 4–2 and advancing to the quarterfinals.
