According to reports, Real Madrid faced Arsenal in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. A penalty was initially awarded by French referee François Letexier, giving Real hope for a comeback.

While Bukayo Saka had earlier chipped a penalty for Arsenal, saved by Thibaut Courtois, the referee this time awarded a penalty in favor of Real. The referee believed Declan Rice had fouled Kylian Mbappe. Rice, who had scored two of Arsenal’s three goals in the first leg, faced tense moments as the VAR review took nearly six minutes.

UEFA confirmed that the final decision was based on the conclusion that no foul was committed by Rice on Mbappe. In a brief statement, UEFA wrote: “The penalty was canceled because no foul was identified.”

The Arsenal midfielder was initially shown a yellow card for the foul, which would have suspended him for the first leg of the semi-finals if Arsenal had advanced. However, after the referee overturned the penalty decision following an on-field review, Rice’s yellow card was also rescinded.