Key figure in Real Madrid’s qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals, Szymon Marciniak clarifies his decision to overturn Julián Álvarez’s penalty – and makes a key statement on Kylian Mbappé

Widely recognised on the European and global stage for officiating high-profile matches, Szymon Marciniak found himself at the centre of a highly surprising decision last Wednesday. In charge of the Madrid derby during the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, the man in yellow made some epic calls, particularly during the penalty shootout. As Atlético and Real Madrid battled for a place in the quarter-finals, Marciniak ruled out Julián Álvarez’s attempt due to a double contact while taking the shot.

The referee’s two key revelations

By enforcing a strict rule that many football fans either discovered or appreciated during this match, the 42-year-old Polish referee left a lasting impression with his decision, as Álvarez’s infraction was not immediately apparent. Backed by UEFA, which confirmed he made the right call, Szymon Marciniak has since addressed the controversy. Speaking to journalist Ismail Mahmoud, the referee admitted: “To be honest, I have never faced a similar situation in my career, but the players know the rules.”

Following this initial revelation, Marciniak also addressed rumours originating from France, suggesting that Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid players were the ones who spotted Álvarez’s double contact. “That is completely false. I told the VAR referee that there was a 99% chance the player had made a double contact, and they thoroughly checked it,” stated Szymon Marciniak, making it clear that the credit for this crucial technical decision should not go to Real Madrid’s players.

Real Madrid must step up for the next round

In any case, the message has been delivered. Whether or not Mbappé was involved, the decision stands, and given the massive viewership of this match, more people will now pay closer attention to penalty shots to detect striking errors. Today, there is no further debate about Real Madrid’s qualification, but they will need to perform much better against Arsenal in the quarter-finals if they hope to reach the semi-finals. According to bookmakers, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are not the favourites to win the Champions League this season.

While luck was on their side against Atlético Madrid last Wednesday, there is no guarantee of similar fortune in the upcoming fixtures. Against a fluid, attacking side like Arsenal, Real Madrid must impose themselves in open play and score plenty of goals to avoid a disappointing exit. The first leg of the quarter-finals will take place on 8 April in England, with the return leg scheduled eight days later at the Santiago Bernabéu.