Why Was Cetré Allowed to Retake His Penalty? The Rule Changed After Julián Álvarez
Edwuin Cetré was involved in a bizarre incident as Estudiantes reached the Copa Libertadores final. A rule clarification following Julián Álvarez's controversial penalty against Real Madrid explains why he was given another chance.
Estudiantes de La Plata's dramatic victory over Flamengo at the Maracanã produced a moment that immediately brought back memories of one of the most controversial penalties in recent Champions League history.
During the shootout, Edwuin Cetré, taking Estudiantes' second penalty, slipped and accidentally touched the ball twice. His first effort found the net, but the goal was disallowed and the kick was ordered to be retaken.
The Colombian was given another opportunity but missed his second attempt. Nevertheless, Estudiantes went on to win the shootout 3-2 and advance to the Copa Libertadores final.
So why was Cetré allowed to retake his penalty when Julián Álvarez had been denied the same opportunity in 2025?
The Julián Álvarez Penalty That Sparked a Rule Clarification
The controversy dates back to March 12, 2025, when Atlético de Madrid faced Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Julián Álvarez stepped up to take Atlético's second penalty in the shootout. As he struck the ball, he slipped and his standing foot accidentally made contact with it.
Although the shot went into the net, the VAR detected the double touch and the goal was disallowed.
Under the interpretation applied at the time, the penalty was recorded as missed, with no opportunity for a retake. Real Madrid eventually won the shootout 4-2 and eliminated Atlético de Madrid.
The decision sparked widespread controversy because the second touch had been accidental. UEFA maintained that the officials had correctly applied the existing Laws of the Game but acknowledged the need for clarification.
When and Why Did the Double-Touch Rule Change?
On June 2, 2025, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body responsible for football's Laws of the Game, published Circular No. 31 clarifying Laws 10 and 14.
The organization explained that the prohibition against touching the ball twice was primarily intended to prevent players from deliberately playing the ball again before another player had touched it.
An accidental double touch caused by slipping, however, was considered a different situation.
The clarification established three distinct outcomes:
- Accidental double touch resulting in a goal: the penalty must be retaken.
- Accidental double touch resulting in a missed attempt: during a shootout, the kick is recorded as missed.
- Deliberate double touch: the original sanction remains in place, meaning the kick is recorded as missed during a shootout.
The clarified procedures became effective for competitions beginning on or after July 1, 2025, although earlier implementation was permitted.
IFAB also explained why an accidental double-touch goal could not simply stand: the additional contact might alter the ball's trajectory and unfairly disadvantage the goalkeeper.
A retake was therefore considered the fairest solution.
Why Did Cetré Get a Second Chance Against Flamengo?
The key lies in the distinction between accidental and deliberate contact.
When Cetré slipped during his penalty against Flamengo, the resulting second touch was accidental. Because the ball entered the goal, the updated interpretation required the kick to be retaken.
Had his first effort missed the target or been saved, the penalty would have been recorded as unsuccessful without a second attempt.
The incident highlighted the practical impact of the clarification. What cost Julián Álvarez his penalty in March 2025 now allows players another chance when an accidental double touch results in a goal.
Other Famous Double-Touch Penalties
Julián Álvarez was not the first player to experience such an incident.
In May 2017, Riyad Mahrez, then playing for Leicester City, slipped while taking a penalty against Manchester City. The ball struck his standing foot before entering the net, and the goal was disallowed.
In January 2023, Aleksandar Mitrović suffered a similar fate for Fulham against Newcastle United. His penalty also went in after an accidental double touch, but the goal did not count.
A more recent example showed how the clarification works in practice. On February 20, 2026, André Silva of Elche accidentally touched the ball with both feet while taking a penalty against Athletic Club in LaLiga.
Because the shot went in, the referee ordered a retake. Unlike Cetré, the Portuguese striker converted his second attempt.
The dramatic scene at the Maracanã once again demonstrated how a controversial decision can reshape the application of football's rules. This time, Cetré received the opportunity Julián Álvarez had been denied, even though his second attempt ended differently.
Edwuin Steven Cetré Angulo
Club Estudiantes de La Plata
