Spanish report says disallowed goal in Atletico match was correct

In a detailed assessment of the officiating controversies from Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg, a specialized Spanish report has concluded that the referee’s decision to disallow a goal was ultimately correct, despite a significant technical failure. The match, which saw FC Barcelona suffer a 0-4 defeat against Atlético Madrid at the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium, was marred by several contentious incidents that placed referee Martínez Munuera under intense scrutiny.

The analysis, conducted by the network Archivo Var, which specializes in reviewing refereeing decisions, focused on six debatable incidents of varying severity. Of these, only two warranted the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee system, despite three situations appearing to be clear candidates for review. This discrepancy contributed to a match atmosphere filled with dispute and uncertainty.

The most prolonged controversy involved the disallowed goal from Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí. The incident, which required a seven-minute review due to a malfunction of the semi-automated offside technology, ultimately ended with the goal being chalked off. According to the report, this specific call by Munuera was accurate, validating the referee’s judgment in a high-pressure situation exacerbated by technological failure.

Controversial Disciplinary Actions Overshadow Valid Call

However, the report’s findings were not entirely supportive of the match officials. It highlighted a critical error in disciplinary judgment concerning Atlético Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone. The analysis asserts that Simeone was involved in a challenge that merited a direct red card, yet the referee only deemed it worthy of a yellow card, a decision that went uncorrected as it did not prompt a VAR review.

This oversight, allowing a player to remain on the pitch after what was judged a sending-off offense, stands in stark contrast to another incident handled correctly in the match’s dying moments. In the final minutes, a red card was issued following a successful VAR intervention, demonstrating the system’s potential for rectifying clear errors when utilized.

The cumulative effect of these episodes—a major technical delay, an unpunished serious foul, and inconsistent use of the review system—created a challenging environment for officiating. Munuera’s performance, navigating these multifaceted difficulties, has thus become a central topic of post-match discussion in Spanish football circles.