Mbappe penalty controversy explained: Why Marc Bartra’s movement did not lead to a retake | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s defeat to Real Betis came with a late penalty controversy, but the argument that Kylian Mbappe’s missed spot-kick should have been retaken does not stand up to closer examination.

With Real Madrid chasing an equaliser, Mbappe saw his penalty saved by Alvaro Valles. 

Real Madrid fans immediately questioned whether the kick should have been retaken, pointing to Marc Bartra entering the penalty area before the Frenchman struck the ball.

There was another reason for the complaints, as Bartra was the player who ultimately cleared the rebound for a corner after Valles had made the save, meaning his movement appeared to have had a direct impact on the outcome.

Bartra entered the area, but…

Mbappe missed his penalty against Real Betis. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

As per Mundo Deportivo, the Betis defender did indeed cross into the box before Mbappe made contact with the ball. That much is clear.

But Bartra was jumping.

When Mbappe struck the penalty, the centre-back had not yet placed his feet back on the turf inside the penalty area. He was still in the air as he attempted to position himself ahead of the rebound.

That difference appears to matter because simply being over the line is not enough to establish the type of encroachment that would require the penalty to be retaken. 

The defender’s position at the precise moment of the kick is what becomes decisive.

Mbappe’s missed penalty was not retaken. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Bartra’s jump subsequently allowed him to arrive quickly enough to deal with the rebound. 

Valles saved the penalty, and Bartra was then able to clear the loose ball before Mbappe could get another attempt away.

Why Mbappe’s penalty controversy has been overstated

The sequence is understandably frustrating from a Real Madrid perspective. 

Bartra’s movement clearly influenced what happened after Valles stopped the penalty, and his clearance prevented Mbappe from having an immediate second chance.

That, though, does not automatically make the penalty invalid.

The important distinction is between Bartra entering the penalty area and Bartra being grounded inside it when Mbappe kicked the ball. In this case, the defender was airborne.