Real Madrid earned their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals after a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid, following a 1-0 defeat after extra time.
With the aggregate score tied at 2-2, the reigning champions emerged victorious 4-2 in penalties at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium.
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Atletico dominated large parts of the match and looked set to knock out the 15-time European champions, but Real Madrid’s resilience and the crucial saves from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois turned the tide in their favour.
Atletico, managed by Diego Simeone, had an early advantage, with Conor Gallagher’s strike in the first minute bringing them level on aggregate. However, despite Atletico’s strong performance, Madrid held their ground, eventually forcing the match to penalties.
Drama and Controversy in the Shootout
The penalty shootout was filled with drama and controversy. Atletico’s Julian Alvarez initially scored, but his effort was controversially ruled out after it was deemed he had touched the ball twice during his slip.
Simeone voiced his displeasure, stating that he believed the referees saw something that wasn’t there. Atletico’s Marcos Llorente also missed his penalty, while Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger kept his cool and slotted the decisive penalty home to send Madrid through to the last eight.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s head coach, admitted that penalties are often a lottery but praised his players for remaining calm under pressure. “I had to pick the coldest players possible,” he said. Meanwhile, Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak expressed his team’s heartbreak, acknowledging that luck wasn’t on their side this time.
A Tale of Two Teams: Madrid’s Comeback and Atletico’s Frustration
Atletico’s game plan was clear from the outset—play with caution and capitalize on the advantage of being at home. Early on, they succeeded when Gallagher scored in the opening seconds, putting them ahead and energizing their fans.
However, Madrid responded with pressure, particularly through star players like Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, who both had their moments of brilliance.
In the end, it was Madrid’s ability to withstand Atletico’s pressure and perform under the spotlight that made the difference. The penalty shootout brought a final twist to a tense affair, as Real Madrid advanced for the sixth consecutive time in a shootout against their rivals.
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