The night in which Lanús sealed its classification to the quarterfinals of the South American Cup 2025 ante Central Cordoba from Santiago del Estero will be in memory not only for the dramatic definition and local celebration, but also because it brought with him The first application of the “Julián Álvarez” rule in a batch of penalties in this competition. The scene, starring Jonathan Galván During the defining series, he marked a precedent for South American football by implementing for the first time the regulatory change that emerged after a global controversy originated in the Champions League and that had aroused debates on all continents.
The game was held at the stadium Lanús City – Néstor Díaz Pérez and had all the condiments of a closed series. Lanús needed to reverse the 0-1 suffered in Santiago del Estero, and achieved it agonically with a goal in the final minutes, which led the definition to the penalties. There, to the usual tension of this type of instances an unpublished episode was added: Galván became his first attempt from the penalty spot, but the auction must have been repeated for the joint action of the referee Cristian Garay, the VAR and the new regulations implemented this year.
The play was developed under the eyes of the 35,000 spectators who filled the stadium. Galván advanced to execute the prison that could give life to his team. He finished and the ball entered the arch. However, his technical gesture had a peculiarity: he slipped at the key moment and, after the impact with his right foot, his left leg came into contact with the ball, involuntarily modifying the direction and the effect of the ball. Garay, Attentive, did not hesitate to ask for the verification of the VAR. The images confirmed the double touch. According to the new regulation, The prison should be repeatedalthough the ball was over in goal.
This protocol represents one of the novelties in arbitration and sends directly to what happened with Julián Álvarez months ago. In a transcendental definition between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid in Champions League, the striker executed a key penalty that ended in goal, but a clumsiness in support generated that he impacted the ball with both feet. That time, the referee annulled the goal and granted indirect free kick to the rival team. The decision motivated an intense international controversy and resulted in a comprehensive review of the regulations regarding the penalties executed with double involuntary touch.
From that moment, the authorities of the International Football Association Board (Ifab) modified the protocol: if when you kick a penalty, the executor touches the ball with both feet accidentally, the play is not annulled, but also Execution must be repeated. The change sought to generate greater equity in this type of actions, considering that the phenomenon is usually caused by a loss of stability or a fortuitous slip and is impossible for the footballer to take intentional advantage.
The definition between Lanús and Central Córdoba was finally resolved successfully for Mauricio Pellegrino’s team, which won 4-2 from twelve steps and settled for once again in the quarterfinals continental. In development there was a lot to analyze. The local cast sought the tie from the first minute, lashed out at a closed rival behind and just found the decisive goal in the epilogue. Dylan Aquino connected a center from the right and the shot was diverted in Yuri Casermeiro, introducing the ball in the arc defended by Alan Aguerre at the exact 90 minutes.
In the regular section of the party, Lanús had the initiative and the clearest possibilities, but Aguerre was erected as the figure of the Santiago team. In the series since the twelve steps, the safety of the Garnet Executors was fundamental: they converted Walter Bou, Carlos Izquierdoz, Sasha Marchich and Marcelino Moreno. On the part of the visit, in addition to the penalties converted by Galván and Matías Vera, Gastón Verón diverted his shot, while Nahuel Losada stopped the shot to Braian Cufré.
With this result, the Garnet got among the eight best of international competition and in the quarterfinals must be measured before Fluminense in Brazil, which comes from leaving América de Cali in Colombia. The first game will be in Lanús, while everything will be defined in Rio de Janeiro.
The “Julián Álvarez” Rule: Analyzing the Impact on South American Football
Table of Contents
The recent match between Lanús and Central Córdoba in the South American cup 2025 featured the first official application of the “Julián Álvarez” rule in a penalty shootout,marking a significant moment in the evolution of football regulations. This article dives deeper into the impact of this rule change and its implications for the game.
Key Moments and Statistics
| Player | Team | Penalty Attempt | Result | Notes |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| Jonathan Galván | Central Córdoba | Attempt 1 | Repeated | Double touch, initial goal disallowed due to “Julián Álvarez” rule.Ball hit in both legs.|
| Walter Bou | Lanús | Triumphant | Goal | |
| Matías vera | central Córdoba | Successful | Goal | |
| Carlos Izquierdoz | Lanús | Successful | Goal | |
| Gastón Verón | Central Córdoba | Missed | Saved | |
| Sasha Marchich | lanús | successful | goal | |
| Nahuel Losada | Central Córdoba | Missed | Saved | |
| Marcelino Moreno | Lanús | Successful | Goal | |
| Braian cufré| Central Córdoba | Missed | Saved | |
Table Notes: This table summarizes the key events during the penalty shootout. It highlights the decisive moments, including who scored and missed from the spot, and the specific application of the new rule. Keyword inclusion ensures searchability.
Understanding the Rule change
This regulatory shift stemmed from the need to address scenarios like the one involving Julián Álvarez in the Champions League. Previously, accidentally touching the ball with both feet during a penalty kick resulted in the goal being disallowed and an indirect free kick being awarded to the opposing team. [[3]] This new rule ensures fairness by recognizing that accidental double touches are typically involuntary and unintentional, often caused by slips or loss of balance. As an inevitable result,the penalty is now repeated rather than annulled. This change aims to create a more equitable outcome in a high-stakes penalty situation, as full [[1]] understanding of the rules is required.
Impact on Strategy and Play
The adoption of the “Julián Álvarez” rule forces players to adjust their technique and focus during penalty kicks. Players need to be more precise with their movements, ensuring a clean strike on the ball. It also influences the mental game. Knowing a mistake won’t automatically result in losing a goal can alleviate some pressure on the penalty taker.
The incident in Lanús and Central Córdoba is among the first times this regulation has changed the outcome of a game. The rule, onc debated, is now fully [[1]] entrenched into the game as a complete [[2]] solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the “Julián Álvarez” rule. This section is designed to provide a deeper dive into the subject.
Q: What is the “Julián Álvarez” rule?
A: The “Julián Álvarez” rule, enacted by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), dictates that if a penalty taker accidentally touches the ball with both feet during their kick, the penalty is retaken, not awarded to the opposing team. This differs from the older rule, which granted a free kick to the opposition in such scenarios.
Q: Why was this rule implemented?
A: This rule was implemented to increase fairness considering that unintentional double touches are usually the result of a player losing balance or slipping. The goal is to prevent unfair penalization for a mistake that doesn’t give the kicker a significant advantage.
Q: Where has this rule been applied?
A: This rule has been applied in various competitions worldwide. The recent application during the Lanús vs. Central Córdoba match in the South American Cup 2025 is one of the first notable instances of this rule impacting a crucial game.
Q: How does this rule affect the game?
A: It affects the game in two main aspects: first, it encourages players to focus on making a clean kick without unintentional contact. Second,it promotes game fairness by preventing unfair penalties and giving players a second chance.
Q: What are the main takeaways from the Lanús vs. Central Córdoba match regarding this rule?
A: The match demonstrated the real-world application of the rule in a high-pressure, competitive environment. It highlighted the impact on the shooter’s strategy and the role of VAR in enforcing the new regulations.
