Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid, following a 1-1 draw in the second leg (3-2 on aggregate) at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The match was decided by a controversial VAR decision that disallowed a Julián Álvarez penalty in the shootout. Real Madrid, has extended their record of Champions League title, to 16.
The tie was level after just 27 seconds when Conor Gallagher scored for Atletico, becoming the first Englishman to score in a Madrid derby. The goal cancelled out Real Madrid’s 2-1 advantage from the first leg.
Neither side could find a winning goal in normal or extra time, leading to a tense penalty shootout. After the first three penalties were converted, former Manchester City forward Julián Álvarez stepped up for Atletico. He slipped during his run-up, but the ball still found the net. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed, with Álvarez deemed to have touched the ball twice.
Fede Valverde then scored for Real Madrid, putting them 3-1 ahead. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved Lucas Vazquez’s penalty to keep Atletico’s hopes alive, but Marcos Llorente struck the crossbar. Antonio Rudiger subsequently converted the decisive penalty, sealing a 4-2 shootout win for Real Madrid.
Atletico’s Defensive Masterclass and Missed Chances
The result will be a bitter disappointment for Atletico Madrid, who produced a superb defensive performance for the majority of the match, limiting Real Madrid to few clear-cut chances.
Atletico’s early goal, a swift attack down the right finished by Gallagher, put them in a strong position. However, Real Madrid struggled to break down their well-organized and disciplined opponents, who had not lost a knockout tie at home since 1997.
Atletico’s lively forward, Alvarez was denied thrice by Courtois.
Kylian Mbappe, largely kept quiet, won a penalty in 70th minute after being brought down by Clement Lenglet. However, Vinicius Jr, who had converted all seven of his previous penalties for Real Madrid, blazed his spot-kick over the bar.
Real Madrid, who defeated Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals, maintained their perfect record against their rivals in penalty shootouts. They will now face Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
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