Champions League: Courtois alerted the referee about Alvarez penalty error says Atletico are sore losers

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois claimed to have alerted the officials to possible foul play, saying: “I sense that Julian (Alvarez) touched the ball twice and I told the referee. It's not easy to see and it's bad luck for them.” Atletico boss Diego Simeone was, however, fuming afterwards as he said: “I've never seen the VAR called to review a penalty in a shootout... Never! Did you see him touching the ball twice? Please whoever was present in the stadium and saw him touching the ball twice, the ball moving, please come forward and raise your hand!”

Initial replays of the incident were inconclusive, leading to the initial anger on Atletico’s part, but videos shot from behind the goal did show that Alvarez touched the ball with his left foot when trying to plant it and seeing it slide.

  There were claims from some that a chip inside the ball had allowed the officials to make a huge call – with UEFA and FIFA using that technology at European Championship and World Cup events. That was, however, not the case on this occasion as the Champions League ball is not fitted with said chip.

30 in-stadium cameras are used in the semi-automated offside system, and they may have helped to determine the “kick-point” of Alvarez, but Miguel Delaney posted on social media: “UEFA saying it is just VAR - so using replays - to confirm double-touch on a penalty No sensors used, or other tech”.

Courtois also took a dig at his former club Atletico Madrid Simeone for "victimhood" and "crying".

“UEFA sees it clearly,” the Belgian said. “I’m fed up with this constant victimhood and crying about things like this. The referee doesn’t benefit any team, neither in Spain nor in Europe. I think they saw it clearly and that’s why they called it that way. They’re human beings and can make mistakes, but with the technology of the VAR room, they saw it.”

Courtois also suggested that Atleti only had itself to blame for not going for the jugular when taking the lead on the evening.

“If you’re winning 1-0 from the first minute and then don’t go for the second, that’s probably where the mistake of their game lies,” Courtois, who is now on the road to a third UCL title in Madrid’s colours, added.

The ever outspoken Courtois’ remarks will make him no more popular with Atleti fans, who have already defaced and removed his commemorative plaque outside the Metropolitano and threw objects such as lighters at the shotstopper which caused play to be halted during a September La Liga derby at the same ground earlier this season.