Julian Alvarez, who coolly slotted home two penalties on the night, now boasts 26 goals in all competitions—14 in La Liga. But according to his coach, there’s still room to grow.

UEFA on Thursday said it would consider a potential rule change after Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez's penalty was controversially disallowed in their Champions League shootout loss to Real Madrid.

During the shootout, Alvarez slipped and the VAR spotted that his left foot touched the ball slightly before he kicked it with his right. With only one touch permitted, the penalty, which would have levelled the shootout at 2-2, was chalked off.

A couple of moments of magic from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz helped Real Madrid edge city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of the last 16 Champions League encounter between the sides at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. 

The last-gasp victory sends Atletico third in the Champions League table, with the top eight sides all avoiding an extra knockout round.

Diego Simeone's side climbed one point clear of champions Real Madrid and six ahead of third-placed Barcelona at the halfway mark in the Spanish league season.

Even a single point would have flattered Diego Simeone's side but they took all three when the Argentina international, on as a substitute, finished Antoine Griezmann's cross at the back post.

The 24-year-old Argentina international's exit marks a record sale price for City, eclipsing the 50 million pounds Chelsea paid for winger Raheem Sterling in 2022.

The 24-year-old cost City just £14 million when he signed from River Plate in January 2022 and his since enjoyed a meteoric rise, helping Argentina to World Cup and Copa America glory, as well as winning two Premier League titles and the Champions League at club level.

Julian Alvarez celebrated his 24th birthday in style as the Manchester City striker scored twice to inspire a 3-1 win against Burnley on Wednesday.

Fielding a strong side, City suffered a setback when they lost defender Manuel Akanji to injury early in the first half, but Foden's superb finishing and De Bruyne's comeback gave coach Pep Guardiola plenty to be happy about.

Goals by Rodri and Julian Alvarez in each half barely did justice to City's dominance as they enjoyed 84% possession in a routine win that at times resembled a training session.

Alvarez curled his shot from the edge of the box into the top corner in the 84th minute and then set up Doku in stoppage time for their third goal as City, who had lost to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup before their league loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, moved up to six points from two games in top spot

Julian Alvarez and Jeremy Doku came off the bench to grab late goals and push Manchester City to a 3-1 victory at RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup trophies were all displayed on the pitch before kickoff, after which City comprehensively outplayed Eddie Howe's Newcastle, whose own title aspirations were dealt an early season setback

City were dealt a blow with Kevin de Bruyne ruled out with an injury, but even without their Belgian playmaker the combination of Haaland and Alvarez ensured victory

With Erling Haaland ruled out through a groin issue, the World Cup winner led the City line with aplomb, scoring to level in the first half after Mo Salah had given Liverpool an early lead

Manchester City extended Julian Alvarez's contract to 2028 on Thursday in recognition of an impressive debut season from the Argentine World Cup winner.

South America's top national team competition, the Copa America, will be held in the United States in 2024 and feature 10 teams from South America's CONMEBOL and six teams from the CONCACAF region.

Argentina featured heavily in shortlists for FIFA's Best awards following their World Cup triumph, with forwards Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and coach Lionel Scaloni receiving nominations in their categories.