Real Madrid have become the final team to advance to the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League. It took over 120 minutes of enthralling action at the Metropolitano—plus a nail-biting penalty shootout—to separate Los Blancos from cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid. In the end, it was the Merengues who kept their composure in the “lottery,” extending their run of consecutive quarter-final appearances to five.

The match kicked off at breakneck speed, with Conor Gallagher putting Atletico Madrid in front literally within seconds. Given the 2–2 draw from the first leg, it effectively reset the tie to 0–0—everything was up for grabs once again. Both sides carved out enough chances in regulation to avoid extra time altogether, but half the Spanish media’s prediction of a drawn-out “war” proved accurate. Managers from both dugouts attempted to outwit each other, shrewdly timing substitutions—like bringing on first-leg hero Brahim Diaz late—and pacing anxiously along the sidelines.

Neither team could break the deadlock before the final whistle; the spotlight shifted to the penalty spot. The shootout began well for both clubs until Julian Alvarez stepped up. A slip resulted in him striking the ball twice—his goal was disallowed by VAR. Though Lucas Vazquez missed his attempt, Marcos Llorente also failed to convert, tilting momentum back in Real Madrid’s favor.

Ultimately, it was the experienced Antonio Rudiger who coolly dispatched the decisive spot-kick, sealing the 4–2 victory on penalties. The reigning European champions now march on, aiming to add yet another chapter to their storied continental legacy.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Atletico Madrid - Real 1:0 (1:0), shoot-out 2:4
Goals: Gallagher C., 1 (1:0)

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Lenglet (Le Normand, 91); Reinildo (Azpilicueta, 98); Gimenez Jose; Gallagher C. (Lino, 85); Barrios P.; De Paul (Molina N., 90); Llorente M.; Álvarez Jul.; Griezmann (Sørloth, 89); Simeone G-o (Angel Correa, 89)
Bench: Musso; Galán J.; Kostis; Witsel; Lemar; Riquelme R.
Yellow Cards: Simeone G-o 66; Azpilicueta 114; Llorente M. 115

Real: Courtois; Asencio R.; Mendy Fe. (García G., 83); Rudiger; Modric (Vazquez L., 65); Tchouaméni (Camavinga, 65); Bellingham; Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior (Endrick, 115); Mbappé; Rodrygo (Diaz Br., 78)
Bench: Gonzalez Fran; Lunin Andriy; Alaba; García Fr.; Ramón; Naveros; Andres Chema; Güler A.
Yellow Cards: Tchouaméni 39; Vinícius Júnior 59