VAR awards Atalanta penalty following serious foul by Dortmund
Two red cards, a VAR reversal, and a crucial converted penalty with the final kick of the match, following a severe foul on Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic, unfolded in the closing moments of a Champions League encounter between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. This sequence ultimately secured Italian representation in Europe’s premier club tournament.
Atalanta progressed to the round of 16 by completing an unexpected comeback, as Lazar Samardzic curled a penalty into the top corner during the eighth minute of stoppage time, sealing a 4-1 victory for the night and a 4-3 triumph on aggregate.
Dortmund, the 2024 runner-up, entered the match with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.
“Everyone had written us off,” remarked Davide Zappacosta, one of Atalanta’s goal scorers, “but we always believe and we never give up.”
However, Atalanta required some assistance.
As extra time appeared imminent, a blunder by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel allowed Atalanta to initiate one final offensive after the three minutes of stoppage time had elapsed.
A cross into the box was set to reach Krstovic for an easy header into an unguarded net when Dortmund defender Remy Bensabaini intervened, striking the Atalanta substitute on the head and causing a cut.
A corner was initially awarded, but following a VAR review, a penalty was granted. Unused Dortmund substitute Nico Schlotterbeck received a red card for dissent from the bench, Bensabaini was issued a second yellow card for his foul, and Samardzic converted the penalty, igniting celebrations within the stadium in Bergamo.
The referee signaled the end of the match before Dortmund could resume play.
“It’s an unforgettable night,” stated Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino, “a dream come true.”
Italy’s streak of having at least one team in the round of 16 since the reintroduction of that stage in the Champions League during the 2003-04 season was at risk after Serie A champion Napoli failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing in 30th place in the 36-team league phase, and Inter Milan was eliminated by the small Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt in the playoffs on Tuesday.
This left Atalanta and Juventus, who were trailing Galatasaray 5-2 after the first leg and ultimately lost in extra time, making Atalanta the last Serie A club remaining in the Champions League.
Atalanta returns to the last 16 for the first time since the 2020-21 season and will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich, with the draw scheduled for Friday.
Atalanta started strong after losing the first leg, with Gianluca Scamacca scoring in the fifth minute and Zappacosta adding another before halftime. Mario Pašalić then headed in the third goal in the 57th minute, putting the hosts ahead on aggregate.
Karim Adeyemi came off the bench for Dortmund to equalize the aggregate score at 3-3, but late drama was still to unfold.
According to UEFA, this marked the first occasion Dortmund has failed to convert a two-goal lead from the first leg in a two-legged European tie, having successfully done so on 10 previous occasions.
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.
