Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal ref watch: Three decisions Danny Makkelie got wrong in Champions League clash
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Credit: Imago Wed 29 April 2026 22:07, UK Atletico Madrid held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night.Neither side came close to breaking the deadlock until Arsenal were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time that was powerfully dispatched by Viktor Gyokeres.Atleti grew into proceedings in the second half, then Julian Alvarez levelled from the spot just before the hour mark after Ben White was punished for handball.Antoine Griezmann saw two big chances go begging as the hosts pushed for a winner, then Arsenal were given a penalty to win it late on after Eberechi Eze was tripped, but referee Danny Makkelie overturned his own decision.Football Insider have looked at three decisions that Makkelie clearly got wrong on Wednesday night, with Arsenal’s next match coming against Fulham before they play the second leg next week. ⚽ Arsenal Matchday ⚽ Team news, line-ups, expert verdicts and previews, and tactical analysis for every Gunners fixture. VISIT THE ARSENAL MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Declan Rice should have been booked for handball offenceMakkelie dealt with the big occasion and tough crowd well in the first half, but struggled to stamp his authority on proceedings in the second period.He failed to show Declan Rice a yellow card in the 52nd minute after he tussled with Johnny Cardoso and clearly handled the ball before the Atleti man came away with the ball and set his side on the attack.Minutes played97′Passes completed82/88Duels won1/2Tackles1Blocks2Recoveries4Rice’s stats vs AtletiThe Dutch official blew for a free kick to the hosts, yet allowed Rice to walk free without a caution even though he stopped a promising Atleti attack, which should have seen him go into the book.Makkelie failed to spot clear handball by White before VAR intervenedThree penalties were given on the night, and the second seemed the most obvious of the lot as White’s outstretched arm clearly stopped Marcos Llorente’s volley.Makkelie was unmoved by loud claims from nearly every Atletico player and most of their vociferous fans, but was clearly wrong not to give the spot kick as he saw it happen.Handball against Ben White and Atletico Madrid have a penalty! 😮What do you make of that decision?Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/S6H13YrKnl— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 29, 2026 View Tweet The VAR officials soon got involved and sent him to the pitchside monitor, with his incorrect call quickly changed to the right one before Alvarez slammed his penalty home.Rice avoided another clear booking for tackle on AlvarezThere were no bookings handed out by Makkelie at the Metropolitano, despite both sides being lauded for their pragmatic styles of play in recent times.Rice can certainly count himself lucky not to come away with a yellow, and possibly a red, as he followed up his earlier handball with a poor tackle on Alvarez in the 62nd minute.The England star caught the former Man City striker with an outstretched boot as he clearly looked to stop him in his tracks, yet the deliberate foul was not followed by a booking. 💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium.
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