Declan Rice responds to Mbappe fall: it wasn’t a penalty at all

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was the center of attention after a controversial collision in a nail-biting Champions League quarter-final second leg. He made it clear in an interview that he had not committed a foul in a contact with French star Kylian Mbappe and insisted that the referee should not have awarded a penalty.

The match saw Arsenal and Real Madrid battle it out. In the 30th minute of the match, Mbappe fell to the ground after a slight tug on his shirt by Declan Rice as he raced into the box. The scene caused great controversy. Referee Francois Le Tessier immediately blew for a penalty and showed Rice a yellow card. However, the penalty quickly sparked a great deal of discussion, not only among the players who were puzzled, but also among the spectators.

Fortunately, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) quickly stepped in. After reviewing the replay, the refereeing team eventually made the change, canceling the penalty and rescinding the yellow card for Rice. The decision prevented Arsenal from falling behind early in the first half and allowed Rice to continue on to the semi-final.

After the match, Rice looked calm as he recalled the scene. He said, “I was pretty sure at the time that it shouldn’t have been a penalty. I did touch Mbappe, but only lightly with my hand, which is a very common action in defense, especially in key areas like the penalty area. My goal was to put him under pressure, not to push him.”

Rice added: “When we are defending in the box, sometimes we have to physically block the rhythm of the opponent’s attack. The one where Mbappe fell was really more of his own action than a foul by me.”

Looking at the game footage, Rice’s claim is not unfounded. In that moment, he didn’t pull with too much force, while Mbappe fell to the ground immediately after the physical contact took place, which appeared a bit exaggerated. It is for this reason that the intervention of VAR is so important.

The VAR system once again showed its value in the critical moment, not only to restore the real situation of the game, but also for Rice to clear the “unfounded” charges. Rice himself also said: “In this kind of game, a yellow card or a misjudgment may affect the whole game or even the team’s promotion prospects. So when I saw the penalty overturned, I was really relieved.”

It is worth noting that while Rice managed to avoid suspension, another key player in Arsenal’s squad – Thomas Partey – will not be involved in the first leg of the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain due to a yellow card he received late in the game. This is undoubtedly a big loss for Arsenal on their way to promotion.

Rice also expressed his satisfaction with the overall performance of the game. He pointed out: “Our whole team showed great discipline and fighting spirit, and this unity is the key for us to continue to move forward. Although there were some controversies on the field, the final result was fair and we must continue to stay focused.”

The game was not only a battle of physical strength and skill, but also a psychological game. From Mbappe’s fake punt to VAR’s timely intervention, every detail could sway the game. For Rice, this game is undoubtedly an important test in his career, and he responded to the outside world’s skepticism with calm judgment and a positive attitude.

Overall, Arsenal’s resilience and team cohesion were reflected in this game. And Rice’s speech also showed his maturity and rationality as a core player at the critical moment. His clear expression not only calmed the controversy, but also won the respect of the fans.

Arsenal still faces a huge challenge in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. And Declan Rice’s presence in the match will undoubtedly be an important guarantee for the team to fight for victory. As the Champions League enters its final stages, every game will be a battle of destiny, and Rice, along with his teammates, is ready for the next tough battle.