Actual Madrid secured their place within the Champions League quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid.
Regardless of shedding 1-0 on the night time on the Metropolitano, Los Blancos prevailed 4-2 on penalties after the tie completed 2-2 on combination.
Atletico Madrid received off to a dream begin, beautiful Actual Madrid with a purpose inside the primary minute. Conor Gallagher latched onto Rodrigo De Paul’s low cross after a intelligent dummy from Giuliano Simeone, sliding the ball previous Thibaut Courtois to provide Atletico the lead.
The hosts dominated a lot of the primary half, creating a number of probabilities by way of Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann. Courtois was saved busy, making essential saves within the twenty fifth and thirty eighth minutes to disclaim Alvarez and preserve Madrid within the tie.
Carlo Ancelotti’s males struggled in assault. Vinicius Junior was tightly marked, whereas Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo did not make an impression. The guests’ solely vital probability got here from Jude Bellingham, whose effort was blocked by Jose Gimenez.
Madrid entered the break trailing 1-0 on the night time and 2-2 on combination, with lots work to do within the second half.
Actual Madrid emerged from the break with extra urgency, however Atletico’s disciplined defensive form continued to frustrate them.
🙌 INTO THE QUARTER-FINALS!
🏁 @AtletiEnglish (2) 1-0 (4) @RealMadridEn (Agg. 2-2)
⚽ 1′ Gallagher pic.twitter.com/ygE4lk4Rhk— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 12, 2025
The most important second of the half arrived within the seventieth minute when Madrid have been awarded a penalty after Clement Lenglet fouled Mbappe within the field.
Nevertheless, Vinicius squandered the golden alternative, sending his spot-kick over the crossbar, a lot to the delight of the house followers.
Atletico responded by forcing Courtois into motion as soon as once more as he denied efforts from Griezmann and Alvarez. With neither facet capable of finding a winner in regular time, the sport went into extra-time.
Additional time noticed each side take a cautious strategy, with every conscious of the excessive stakes. Madrid noticed extra of the ball, however their closing product continued to lack any actual chunk.
Valverde had an excellent probability within the 99th minute, solely to ship his effort large, whereas Angel Correa noticed a harmful cross blocked by Antonio Rudiger.
Simeone’s facet targeted on taking the sport to penalties, not often pushing ahead within the latter levels.
The penalty shootout started with Mbappe dispatching his spot-kick to provide Madrid the early lead. Alexander Sorloth responded in type for Atletico, earlier than Bellingham and Valverde put Madrid forward 3-1.
The drama peaked when Julian Alvarez’s penalty was dominated out as a consequence of a double contact after he slipped, handing Madrid a vital benefit.
Angel Correa saved Atleti’s hopes alive with a well-taken spot-kick and Lucas Vazquez missed Madrid’s fourth try, providing the hosts a lifeline.
Nevertheless, Marcos Llorente’s essential miss – hitting the underside of the bar -left Rudiger with the prospect to win it for Madrid. The German’s effort simply sneaked previous Jan Oblak to seal the win.
