Real Madrid will face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final following a controversial 4-2 penalty shootout win over crosstown rivals, Atletico Madrid, in their round-of-16 second leg match at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night.
The reigning Champions League title holders came into the match with a slender 2-1 advantage from the Bernabeu a week ago, but that lead disappeared within a minute as the second leg started with a bang when Conor Gallagher gave Atleti the lead after just 30 seconds, thus setting the tone for what was to come in the tense encounter.
Los Blancos had a golden opportunity to level the tie on the night and go ahead on aggregate when they were awarded a spot-kick in the 70th minute, following a foul on striker Kylian Mbappe, only for Vinicius Jr. to send his kick over the bar and into the stands.
Real Madrid managed to keep their composure to force extra time, in which no further goals were scored to separate both sides, leading to the match going to penalties to determine the winner.
A controversial moment arose with Real leading 2-1 in the shootout when Atletico’s hitman, Julian Alvarez, slipped while taking his penalty, leading to a double-kick and to its disqualification consequently after a VAR review. Marcos Llorente also failed to convert his spot-kick for the Rojiblancos.
Los Blancos on the other hand, dispatched four of their spot-kicks, with only Lucas Vazquez missing from twelve yards. Antonio Rudiger converted the winning penalty to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side through to the next round.
Real Madrid now face an exciting quarter-final clash against Arsenal, who eliminated Dutch Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate.