Why Alvarez's goal was disallowed? The rules explained

Real Madrid's penalty shootout win over city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 was marred by controversy after Julian Alvarez's penalty was disallowed.

Real Madrid had won the first leg 2-1, but Connor Gallagher's first-minute goal at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday allowed Atletico to level 2-2 on aggregate, sending the match into extra time and then penalties, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Real Madrid eventually won 4-2, but not before a major drama. Atletico's Alvarez was the fourth to take the penalty after the first three were successfully converted.

The Argentine striker also converted his shot to make it 2-2, but not without a slip and fall. As Atletico fans began to celebrate, Polish referee Szymon Marciniak pointed out that Alvarez's penalty had been overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Replays showed that his left foot made little contact with the ball before he kicked it with his right.

But what does the rule say about Julian Alvarez's penalty kick?

Article 14.1 of the IFAB (International Football Association Board) Laws of the Game governs penalties. According to the rule, "The kicker must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player."

This is why Alvarez's penalty kick was disallowed, as he made two touches.