Real Madrid produced a gritty display to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals, defeating Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties after a 1-0 defeat in extra time on Wednesday. The result left the aggregate score level at 2-2, but Madrid’s superior penalty performance ensured they would progress to the next stage.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Atletico, under the management of Diego Simeone, dominated much of the match, especially in the opening minutes, when Conor Gallagher scored within the first 27 seconds. His goal, from a close-range finish, brought the aggregate score to 2-2, leveling the playing field and setting up a tense battle at the Metropolitano stadium.
Despite being outplayed for much of the game, Real Madrid refused to succumb to pressure and managed to hold on through the match, with key performances from their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Courtois was instrumental in keeping Atletico from extending their lead, making several critical saves to deny Julian Alvarez and others from scoring.
In the first half, Atletico’s pressure continued, but Courtois made a brilliant stop to deny Alvarez after a powerful strike and then thwarted him again at the near post before the interval. Madrid’s defense struggled, but they stayed resolute, knowing their chances would come.
Ancelotti’s men, despite finding themselves under pressure for large portions of the match, showed signs of attacking intent in the second half. However, it wasn’t until a counterattack led by Kylian Mbappe that Madrid had their first real opportunity to capitalize. Mbappe was fouled in the penalty box by Atletico’s Clement Lenglet, setting up a chance for Vinicius Junior to take the spot-kick. However, under intense pressure from the passionate Atletico crowd, Vinicius missed the penalty by firing it high and wide.
In the dying moments of regulation, Angel Correa almost sealed the win for Atletico with a powerful half-volley that sailed just over the crossbar, and the match went into extra time.
With both teams visibly fatigued after 120 minutes of play, the shootout began with high tension. Mbappe stepped up to take the first penalty and sent Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak the wrong way. Following his lead, Jude Bellingham converted his penalty as well, while Atletico’s Alexander Sorloth answered with a successful penalty for the hosts.
However, the drama unfolded when Alvarez stepped up to take Atletico’s next penalty. The Argentine striker slipped as he struck the ball, and a VAR review ruled it a double touch, disallowing the goal. The ruling gave Madrid the upper hand. Marcos Llorente had the chance to level the shootout but missed, hitting the bar with his penalty.
Real Madrid kept their cool, and Antonio Rudiger sealed the victory for the defending champions with a cool finish to put Madrid ahead in the shootout. Despite Oblak’s best efforts, Rudiger’s strike flew past him, sending Real Madrid through to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 penalty win.
For Atletico, the loss continues their unfortunate history against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Despite a strong performance, they couldn’t overcome their city rivals in Europe, having previously lost to them in the 2014 and 2016 finals, including a penalty shootout defeat in the latter.
With the win, Real Madrid progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face Premier League giants Arsenal in the next round of the competition.
