Kolkata: The Champions League semi-final first leg between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal was a night of penalties, controversy, and thrilling football. The match was decided by two spot kicks, but it was the one that wasn't given that dominated the headlines.
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie needed 13 replays to decide that David Hancko's contact with Eberechi Eze in the 78th minute was not enough for the Arsenal player to have gone down, leaving Mikel Arteta 'incredibly fuming'.
The decision sparked a heated debate among television pundits, with Steven Gerrard saying it should not have been referred because there was contact and no clear and obvious error.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone remained philosophical, saying 'sometimes the VAR gives to you, sometimes it takes away.' The home side bounced back from the controversy to draw 1-1, with Viktor Gyokeres and Julian Alvarez scoring for Atletico Madrid.
Gyokeres' goal was his 19th of the season, and he has now kept Arsenal's quest for a double alive. The match was a slow burn, with both teams creating chances but struggling to break down each other's defenses.
Atletico Madrid's victory was sealed when VAR awarded a penalty after Marcos Llorente's shot hit Ben White's wrist, and Alvarez banged in the equaliser to show he has lived down the double-touch penalty in the Champions League quarter-final elimination last season.
