Real Madrid managed to go past fierce city rivals Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on penalties despite a 1-0 loss after extra time on Wednesday, Afrosport reports.
Los Blancos had won the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu but were behind in the return leg at the Metropolitano when former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher put Atleti ahead after just 27 seconds, their earliest ever goal scored in the Champions League.
Real Madrid could not find a way back but had the opportunity from the penalty spot in the 70th minute which could have seen them through to the last eight. Vinicius Jr. however missed, making it the first time he failed to convert from the spot in his Madrid career.
With no goal action for the remainder of regular time and the extra 30 minutes, off it went to penalties.
Julian Alvarez’s spot kick was canceled for a double touch by the Argentine forward. Lucas Vazquez then missed the fourth kick for Real only for Marcos Llorente to miss for Atleti.
This left Antonio Rudiger with the responsibility of converting the winning penalty which he did to hand Real their sixth shootout victory over Atleti in history and the fourth time they have eliminated the men in red and white from the knockout phase.
6+4 – @realmadriden have eliminated @atletienglish in all four of their two-legged European Cup/Champions League ties and have won all six penalty shoot-outs against the red and white team in their history. Dominance. pic.twitter.com/NDGzgvSwkz
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 12, 2025
Carlo Ancelotti’s men will now get to battle Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
