Why was Mbappe's penalty not retaken? A small detail that shut the door on Real Madrid's escape

What is the secret?

The decision not to retake the penalty missed by Kylian Mbappe in the closing moments of the clash between Real Madrid and Real Betis sparked wide controversy. Betis defender Marc Bartra was seen inside the penalty area before the kick was taken, then intervened afterwards and cleared the ball for a corner following goalkeeper Alvaro Valles's save on the first attempt.

Some Real Madrid fans called for the penalty to be retaken, arguing that Bartra was the first to enter the penalty area, and that his intervention proved decisive in clearing the ball and preventing Mbappe from following up. One precise detail in the footage explains why this was not considered sufficient reason to retake the kick.

Bartra entered, but was not on the ground

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo confirmed that Bartra did move into the penalty area before Mbappe took the kick. He jumped to reach the ball, though, and at the moment the French striker struck the penalty, Bartra had not yet touched the pitch inside the area. He was still in the air.

Herein lies the decisive point. The mere presence of a player over the penalty area while jumping does not necessarily mean he committed an encroachment offence at the time the kick was taken. More importantly, Bartra was able to intervene after Valles saved the ball, but he had not planted his feet inside the area at the moment of the shot.

Suspicious as the footage appeared at first glance, this detail significantly weakens the argument for retaking the penalty and gives the referee's decision not to retake it a logical explanation.

Mbappe's kick was one of Real Madrid's last chances to salvage the match. The Frenchman missed the penalty in the 90+5th minute against a brilliant Valles, allowing Betis to hold their 1-0 lead and hand the Royal club their first defeat this season.