Real Madrid Sends Atletico Packing After Thrilling Penalty Shootout to Reach Quarter-Finals

Real Madrid once again displayed their dominance in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), emerging victorious in a thrilling penalty shootout against Atletico Madrid, winning 4-2. This defeat marked the end of Atletico’s remarkable 18-match unbeaten streak at home in UCL knockout encounters and paved the way for a quarter-final showdown with Arsenal.

In a stunning start, Atletico levelled the aggregate score just 27 seconds into the match, igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Julian Alvarez passed to Rodrigo De Paul, whose cross from the right found Conor Gallagher sliding in at the near post, netting his inaugural European goal. This was the fastest goal in UCL history for Atletico and also the quickest ever scored by an English player in the tournament.

The match tempo favoured the hosts, with Diego Simeone’s team opting to sit back and wait for opportunities. Clear-cut chances were scarce, but Alvarez managed to force two vital saves from Thibaut Courtois, leaving Real Madrid in a contemplative state at half-time.

Following the interval, Alvarez remained a persistent threat, managing to break free from several defenders before Courtois pushed his shot away.

In contrast, the reigning European champions struggled to match Atletico’s intensity, managing only a single shot on target as they approached the hour mark. Atletico almost took a complete aggregate lead when De Paul’s free-kick was narrowly headed wide by Clement Lenglet.

Despite looking slightly lethargic, Kylian Mbappe found a way back into the contest after weaving through the Atletico defence. He earned a penalty when pulled back by Lenglet inside the box.

Vinícius Junior stepped up for the spot-kick but blazed the ball high and wide, leaving Carlo Ancelotti and the team in disbelief. This miss ignited the home crowd further, urging them to rally behind their team.

Angel Correa entered the fray, nearly making an immediate difference by seizing a long ball from Marcos Llorente, skillfully navigating past Antonio Rudiger but shooting over the bar. In the extra time period, substitute Alexander Sorloth failed to convert a close-range effort, sending the ball wide.

As penalties loomed, drama unfolded even before the shootout began, with Alvarez’s penalty controversially deemed a double touch and disallowed.

Real Madrid appeared to have the upper hand, only for Jan Oblak to make a critical save against Lucas Vázquez’s effort. However, Marcos Llorente hit the bar, and Rudiger’s shot slipped through Oblak’s fingers, allowing Ancelotti’s side to progress in the most thrilling of circumstances.