Video: the controversial penalty that put Racing ahead, what'll Milito say? | OneFootball

Controversy took center stage at the Cilindro. After Racing went behind in the opening minute and Martirena equalized, Maravilla Martínez turned it around with a hugely important penalty, not only because of everything at stake for the Academy but also because it was his first since that chipped one in the clásico against Independiente. That said, the penalty decision was controversial.

At first, referee Jhon Ospina did not consider it a handball by Mago, who slid in to block a cross with his arm extended. However, after a few minutes of review, VAR called him over to take another look at the play. And there was the referee, who spent several moments analyzing whether it was indeed an infringement by the Caracas player.

What the official was trying to determine was whether the ball struck below the defender’s sleeve, since when he slides with his arm extended, it is no longer considered a supporting arm. That is why the referee took his time, because the replays did not make it entirely clear whether that was actually the case.

In the end, the referee decided to award the penalty, and Maravilla Martínez stepped up and converted brilliantly to put Racing ahead in the 37th minute. Still, he did not celebrate it. Surely because of the tough moment the team is going through, but also because it was his first penalty since the one he missed against Independiente.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.