Football fans have had their verdict clear: Atletico Madrid should have had a penalty in the Champions League clash against Arsenal. Several believe the team was cheated of very clear cases.
Arsenal are ready for the final of the Champions League after a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. Thus, Mikel Arteta’s team reaches its first Champions League final in 20 years. In Budapest, either PSG or Bayern Munich await. We will know in a few hours, you can follow the match on our Live service.
Read: Manchester United prepare £150 million to create stunning midfield
Sako was the match winner
Bakary Sako became the hero of the match when he put the ball into the net from close range in the first half. He picked up an effort from Leandro Trossard, which Jan Oblak had knocked out – but only as far as the English winger in the six-yard box.
Arsenal worked hard for the victory, and many fans believe the team fully deserved to beat Diego Simeone’s side. But online, the debate rages about another episode.
– Should have had a penalty: “Without a doubt”
When Giuliano Simeone flicked the ball past David Raya, it looked like he was on his way to goal. But Gabriel managed to fend off the attacker. However, many supporters believe that the tackle was not fair – and that Atletico should have been penalized.
Several react to the fact that Gabriel did not hit the ball, but instead felled the Atletico player.
“Yes, without a doubt. I watched without sound and couldn’t understand why it wasn’t given,” wrote one supporter on X.
Another wrote: “They should have had two, but it’s Arsenal, so it just doesn’t happen to them.”
A third added: “How does Gabriel get away with it week after week?”
Read: A clear sign when Ajax call and wonder about Arne Slot
Wesley Sneijder: “Arsenal should be grateful”
Most evident in the criticism was former Dutch star player Wesley Sneijder, who worked as an analyst for Ziggo Sport.
“Arsenal should be grateful that the referee doesn’t award these penalties. Atletico Madrid should have at least three goals now. There is contact. Definitely a penalty. The fact that he did not fall when he was hit does not mean that there is no penalty. It’s a penalty for me,” said Sneijder.
He also pointed out that Riccardo Calafiori’s foul on Antoine Griezmann in the second half was clear – and that it would have been awarded, if the referee hadn’t blown for a free kick for Arsenal seconds earlier. Then Gabriel went to the ground and held his leg after a tackle.
The referee blew the whistle – VAR could not intervene
Since the referee blew and stopped play before Griezmann went to the ground in the box, VAR had no way to interfere. Fans believe the Arsenal player fell too easily and was awarded a free kick – and that a penalty should have been awarded if the game had been allowed to continue.
“Yes, 100 percent they should. But Gabriel started with a foul, then threw himself to the ground and screamed. And again – gets a free kick, as he has done all season,” wrote one supporter.
Another added: “One of the clearest penalties you’ll ever see. It’s crazy how many solid penalties have not been awarded against Arsenal this season.”
“The whistle went before”
However, one person pointed out what probably saved Arsenal: “The whistle blew for a free kick on Gabriel before this happened. If the ball had gone into the goal after the whistle, it wouldn’t have counted anyway.”
But for Arsenal fans, it doesn’t matter much now. The team is through to the Champions League final – and the disputes about the penalties that were not given, they will not care much about anyway in the celebration rush.
