UCL: Real Madrid Edges Atletico in Penalty Shootout Thriller

Real Madrid reaches the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after defeating Atletico Madrid 4-2 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

Real Madrid demonstrated their UEFA Champions League prowess once again, edging Atletico Madrid 4-2 in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals. This thrilling victory ended Atletico's impressive 18-match unbeaten home streak in UCL knockout matches and set up a tantalizing quarterfinal clash with Arsenal.

Atletico exploded out of the gates, erasing Real Madrid's aggregate lead in a mere 27 seconds. A lightning-fast break culminated in Rodrigo De Paul's precise cross, which Conor Gallagher expertly converted at the near post for his first European goal. This historic strike marked the earliest UCL goal in Atletico's history and the fastest ever scored by an Englishman in the competition.

Real Madrid through to the quarter-finals ✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/mcnHl4GSUQ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 12, 2025

The match's dynamics favored the hosts, as Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid adopted a pragmatic approach, absorbing pressure before selectively launching counterattacks. While clear-cut opportunities were scarce, Julian Alvarez tested Thibaut Courtois with two separate efforts, leaving Real Madrid with significant concerns heading into the break.

Julian Alvarez continued to torment Real Madrid after the break, evading multiple markers before unleashing a shot that Thibaut Courtois pushed away. In contrast, the reigning European champions struggled to match Atletico's intensity, managing only one shot on target approaching the hour mark.

Atletico Madrid came agonizingly close to taking the aggregate lead when Clement Lenglet's header from Rodrigo De Paul's free-kick narrowly missed the target. Real Madrid's sluggish performance was suddenly injected with life when Kylian Mbappe's mazy run into the box was halted by Lenglet's pull, earning a penalty. However, Vinicius Junior's atrocious spot-kick sailed high and wide, leaving Carlo Ancelotti stunned.

The miss seemed to galvanize Diego Simeone's side, with Angel Correa's introduction sparking a renewed surge. Correa almost made an instant impact, latching onto Marcos Llorente's long ball and navigating past Antonio Rudiger before shooting over. As the match drifted into extra time, another substitute, Alexander Sorloth, scuffed a close-range attempt wide.

The tie ultimately boiled down to a penalty shootout, which was marred by controversy when Julian Alvarez's effort was ruled out for a double touch. Real Madrid seized the initiative, but Jan Oblak denied Lucas Vazquez. As Marcos Llorente hit the bar, Antonio Rudiger's effort slipped through Oblak's grasp, sending Real Madrid through in dramatic fashion.