Executive Summary & Key Takeaways:
Real Madrid triumphed in a controversial match against Atlético de Madrid, advancing to the Champions League quarter finals after a penalty shootout that sparked controversy, especially over the disallowed penalty for Julián Álvarez. The viral spread of memes about this "heist of the century" has been a notable phenomenon on social media.
The headlines from around the world (and the memes, the videos...) speak for themselves:
The "heist of the century" in the derby between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid has been more than just a sports event; it's a social and marketing phenomenon that has captured global attention. The viralization of memes and the controversy surrounding the disallowed penalty for Julián Álvarez have shown how sports events can influence public perception and engagement strategies on social media. This event invites us to reflect on the importance of transparency in sports and how brands can leverage these moments to connect with their audiences.
The Derby's Outcome
Real Madrid won the first leg 2-1, which was played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last Tuesday. On Wednesday, at the Metropolitano, Atlético de Madrid secured a narrow victory. With this aggregate score, the series went into extra time.
After failing to break the deadlock in the 30 minutes played, the match went to a penalty shootout. There, with controversy as the main protagonist, the Merengues triumphed in the derby and secured a spot among the top eight teams in the UEFA Champions League.
The Penalty Controversy
What happened? The fourth penalty of the series, the second for Atlético Madrid, was taken by Julián Álvarez. The Argentine, scorer of his team's goal in the first leg, slipped while shooting, and the VAR ruled it as a double touch. Therefore, it was ultimately considered a miss despite being scored.
Reactions and Frustration
As expected, Diego Simeone showed his frustration over losing to Real Madrid due to such a controversial decision. He was so furious that he shouted in the press room: "Let anyone who saw Julián touch the ball twice raise their hand! Raise your hand! No one is raising their hand!"
The Meme Phenomenon
Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid, and fans expressed themselves on social media with the best memes. In this context, users went viral with the spread of the best memes.
Analysis and Expert Opinions
Even former Spanish soccer referees like Mateu Lahoz and Eduardo Iturralde, who currently work for Movistar Plus and Cadena SER respectively, believe that Marciniak should have reviewed the play on the VAR. Instead, the Polish referee only relied on the version transmitted from the video assistant referee room and disallowed Julián's penalty.
Impact on Society and Marketing
The lack of an image to clarify the situation causes a major scandal. As is evident, the Merengue entity defends the version that favors their narrative. However, the videos circulating on social media do not show Julián Álvarez moving the ball with his supporting foot before shooting with his right.
The Heist of the Century: A Strategic Perspective
History has once again been unkind to Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League. The Colchoneros did more to knock out the Merengue team, but their lack of accuracy during dominant moments and the influence of VAR prevented it. Another injustice after what they endured in recent finals against Real Madrid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: What happened in the match between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid?
A: Real Madrid won in a controversial penalty shootout, advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Q: Why was Julián Álvarez's penalty disallowed?
A: The VAR determined that there was a double touch of the ball by Julián Álvarez, leading to the penalty being disallowed.
Q: How did Diego Simeone react?
A: Diego Simeone showed great frustration and publicly questioned the VAR decision in the press room.
Q: What role did memes play in this event?
A: Memes went viral on social media, turning the match into a cultural and marketing phenomenon.
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