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Two Penalties or Not? A Referee Expert Breaks Down Real Madrid vs Manchester City

10 December 2025

What happened

Two minutes into the match at the Bernabéu, Vinícius Júnior was fouled by Matheus Nunes of Manchester City, and the referee initially awarded a penalty.

Replays showed the contact occurred outside the penalty area, prompting the official to reverse the decision and award a free kick instead.

Expert viewpoint

Iturralde González, the refereeing expert for AS, commented on the call: 'The foul was outside the area. According to protocol, the referee does not need to check VAR for this play; information is relayed directly from the video room.'

Vinícius then pleaded for a penalty again, claiming a handball by Nunes. González responded: 'Not a penalty; the ball touched his arm, but his hand was in a natural position and down by his side.'

Caption: The early decision and its reversal sparked discussion about officiating protocols, VAR workflow, and how a single moment can tilt a Champions League night.

Author

Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was a penalty awarded initially and later overturned?

Yes; it was initially given but changed to a free kick after replays showed the contact was outside the box.

What did the referee expert say about the decision?

It was outside the area, and per protocol, the referee does not require VAR review; the information is relayed from the video room.

Was Vinícius's handball claim valid?

No. The ball touched the arm, but the arm was in a natural position and down by the side.

Where did the incident take place?

At the Bernabéu during a Champions League group-stage match.