Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals in dramatic fashion, edging out city rivals Atletico Madrid in a tense penalty shootout.
Their victory keeps them on course for a record-extending 16th title, setting up a clash with Arsenal in the last eight.
The contest remained finely poised after Conor Gallagher’s early goal—just 27 seconds in, brought the tie level on aggregate following Real’s 2-1 first-leg win.
However, neither side could find a breakthrough in extra time, leading to a decisive shootout.
After three successful penalties, Atletico’s Julian Alvarez stepped up to take his side’s second spot-kick. His attempt found the net, but a VAR review overturned the goal, ruling that Alvarez had unintentionally struck the ball twice due to a slip.
Fede Valverde then converted to give Real a 3-1 lead. Atletico briefly revived their hopes when Jan Oblak denied Lucas Vazquez, but Marcos Llorente’s effort rattled the crossbar.
That left Antonio Rudiger with the chance to seal Real’s passage, and he did so, slotting home the winning penalty for a 4-2 victory.
Atletico’s Resilience Falls Short as Real Prevail Again
Atletico Madrid will feel aggrieved after a resolute defensive performance kept Real at bay for much of the game.
Their dream start came when England international Gallagher pounced on a swift counterattack down the right, becoming the first Englishman to score in a Madrid derby.
Real struggled to break down their well-drilled opponents, who had not lost a home knockout tie since 1997.
At the other end, Alvarez posed a threat but was denied three times by Thibaut Courtois.
Kylian Mbappe had a quiet evening but made a rare breakthrough in the second half, drawing a penalty after Clement Lenglet fouled him in the box.
Vinicius Jr, usually reliable from the spot, had the chance to tilt the tie in Real’s favor but blazed his attempt over the bar.
With nothing separating the teams, the match was decided from 12 yards, where Real continued their flawless penalty shootout record against Atletico, just as they had done in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals.
