Real Madrid secured a hard-fought victory over their city rivals Atletico Madrid in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match through a 4-2 penalty shootout, ensuring their grip on the title and progression to the quarterfinals. The decisive spot-kick was scored by defender Antonio Rudiger, following missed opportunities from Atletico’s players. Including this win, Madrid has now defeated Atletico in a shootout in both the 2016 final and in the 2022 semi-finals, extending their domination in this fixture.
The match, which ended 2-2 on aggregate after extra time, was marked by two critical moments in regulation time. Atletico Madrid took an early lead at their Metropolitano Stadium, cancelling out Madrid’s 2-1 first-leg advantage. Real Madrid missed a penalty in the 70th minute when Vinicius Junior’s attempt went high over the bar, a chance that could have put the reigning champions into the lead.
Confidence was boosted for the home side when Endrick, a young Brazilian striker who replaced Vinicius in extra time, converted his penalty in the shootout. Other quarterfinalists confirmed on the same evening included Arsenal, who secured their spot with a 9-3 aggregate score against PSV Eindhoven despite drawing 2-2 at home, and Aston Villa, who triumphed 3-0 over Club Brugge, also beneficiaries of a man advantage for most of the match after a red card was issued to Bruges. Football fans from England now have just one team still in the competition; after Liverpool’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16.
In the other quarterfinals, Paris Saint-Germain will face Aston Villa, Barcelona take on Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich are set to clash with Inter Milan. The first legs will be played on April 8-9, with the returns scheduled for a week later. Villa Park, where Villa secured their 3-0 win, currently holds the distinction of an unbeaten home record, having overcome notable European sides including Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Celtic in addition to their latest triumph against Brugge.
The Asters Villa’s victory at home was highlighted by the clinical finishing of Marco Asensio, who scored twice in the second half to secure the win for his team, now part of Paris Saint-Germain’s loan system, adding a personal chapter to the fixture’s history. Asensio’s goals ensured his temporary club’s advance to face his parent club in the ensuing round.
Borussia Dortmund, who entered the competition thanks to Germany’s fifth-place finish in the Bundesliga—maintained their Champions League superiority over their domestic league performance with a 2-1 win over Lille, despite falling behind early. Remarkably, this marks the third consecutive season Dortmund have excelled in the Champions League, unlike their league form. The team will face Barcelona, a daunting challenge set against the backdrop of last season’s final where Dortmund was defeated by Real Madrid.
As the competition progresses to its knockout phases, the financial stakes grow, with each quarterfinals participant set to receive 12.5 million euros ($13.6 million), potentially sowing a wider division of wealth across European football given the substantial prize money at stake.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/3/12/real-madrid-beat-atletico-in-champions-league?traffic_source=rss
