Real Madrid insured their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League after a dramatic victory in the penalty shootout on Atletico Madrid.
Despite losing 1-0 in the night in the Metropolitano, Los Blancos had the upper hand on the penalties after the penalties after the draw was aggregated.
Atletico Madrid went to a dream start, astonishing Real Madrid with a goal in the first minute. Conor Gallagher locked the low cross of Rodrigo de Paul after a smart dummy by Giuliano Simeone, pushed the ball past Thibaut Courtois to lead Atletico.
The hosts dominated a large part of the first half and created different opportunities by Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann. Courtois was kept busy and made crucial rescues in the 25th and 38th minutes to deny Alvarez and to keep Madrid in the draw.
The men of Carlo Ancelotti struggled in attack. Vinicius Junior was tightly marked, while Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo had no impact. The only important chance of the visitors came from Jude Bellingham, whose effort was blocked by Jose Gimenez.
Madrid went into the break 1-0 on the night and 2-2 on aggregated, with a lot of work to do in the second half.
Real Madrid came from the break with more urgency, but the disciplined defensive form of Atletico continued to frustrate them.
🙌 In the quarterfinals!
🏁 @Atleti Glish (2) 1-0 (4) @Realmadriden (AGG. 2-2)
⚽ 1 ‘Gallagher pic.twitter.com/yge4lk4rhk– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 12, 2025
The biggest moment of half arrived in the 70th minute when Madrid got a penalty after Clement Lenglet had contaminated Mbappe in the box.
Vinicius, however, wasted the golden chance and sent his spot kick over the bar, to the delight of home fans.
Atletico responded by bringing Courtois into action again, while he denied the efforts of Griezmann and Alvarez. With neither parties who could find a winner in a normal time, the game went in extra time.
Extra time both parties saw a cautious approach, in which each was aware of the high bet. Madrid saw more of the ball, but their end product did not miss a real bite.
Valverde had a brilliant chance in the 99th minute, just to send his efforts wide, while Angel Correa saw a dangerous cross blocked by Antonio Rudiger.
Simeone’s side was aimed at bringing the game to punishments, rarely pushing forward in the last phases.
The penalty shootout started with Mbappe who sent his spot kick to give Madrid the early lead. Alexander Sorloth responded in style for Atletico, before Bellingham and Valverde Madrid 3-1 brought forward.
The drama peaked when Julian Alvarez’s penalty was excluded because of a double touch after he issued, so Madrid handed over a crucial benefit.
Angel Correa kept the hope of Atleti alive with a well-approached Spot-Kick and Lucas Vazquez missed Madrid’s fourth attempt and offered the hosts a lifeline.
Marcos Llorente’s crucial Miss -the bottom of the bar -Links Rudiger, however, with the chance to win it for Madrid. The efforts of the German just sneak past Jan Oblak to seal the victory.
