Real Madrid survive Atletico thriller, triumph on penalties to reach UCL quarters

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Real Madrid secured a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, sealing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after an intense battle that ended 2-2 on aggregate.

The Wanda Metropolitano was electric as Atletico, chasing a first-leg 2-1 deficit, drew level with a lightning-fast goal from Conor Gallagher just a minute into the match. The midfielder pounced on a loose ball in the box, rifling a shot into the bottom right corner, sending the home crowd into raptures.

From then on, the game became a tactical chess match, with both sides creating and spurning chances.

Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham probed Atletico’s defensive line, while Diego Simeone’s men pressed relentlessly, seeking the all-important second goal.

As extra time loomed, the tension only escalated. Atletico threw everything forward, but Real Madrid’s defence, marshalled by Thibaut Courtois, held firm. An electric 120 minutes gave way to the ultimate test: penalties.

Kylian Mbappé set the tone for Madrid with an emphatic strike into the bottom right corner. Atletico’s Alexander Sorloth responded in kind, but Julian Alvarez faltered, failing to find the target. Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Ángel Correa kept the shootout alive, yet the crucial moment came when Marcos Llorente’s effort crashed against the crossbar, leaving Madrid on the brink of triumph.

With the weight of history on his shoulders, Antonio Rüdiger stepped up for Real Madrid’s final kick. Jan Oblak got a hand to it but couldn’t stop the ball from nestling into the bottom left corner, triggering wild celebrations from the Madridistas.