In an electrifying clash at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday, Real Madrid edged city rivals Atletico in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
The two-legged tie ended 2-2 on aggregate after extra time, with Atletico taking an early lead through midfielder Conor Gallagher in the second leg, while Real had won the first leg 2-1 at home.
Tension soared as the match progressed to penalties. Real Madrid's Antonio Ruediger emerged as the hero, converting the decisive spot kick to clinch a 4-2 victory in the shootout. The win came despite a late missed penalty by Vinicius Jr. and controversy when Atletico forward Julian Alvarez had his effort disallowed for a double touch.
Additional drama unfolded as Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved Lucas Vazquez's spot kick, only for Marcos Llorente to nudge the ball off the post, setting the stage for Ruediger's winning strike. Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois summed up the nail-biting finish by noting, "In the end, a penalty shootout is a lottery."
Now advancing into the quarterfinals with the dream of a record-extending 16th European Cup in sight, Real Madrid demonstrated both resilience and composure, captivating fans with a showdown that underscored the unpredictable allure of football.
Reference(s):
Real sink Atletico in shootout to reach UEFA Champions League quarters
cgtn.com
