Julian Alvarez with a crucial mistake, Real Madrid booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals in dramatic fashion, edging past Atletico Madrid in a chaotic penalty shootout after a tense 1-0 second-leg defeat at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Despite an early goal from Conor Gallagher, Diego Simeone’s side couldn’t capitalize on their dominance, and the match eventually went to penalties, where Antonio Rudiger stepped up to fire Los Blancos into the next round. Vinicius Jr’s shocking penalty miss in normal time nearly proved costly, but Real Madrid’s European DNA came through once again.
This highly-anticipated UCL last-16 clash had everything—an early goal, missed chances, extra time drama, and a nail-biting shootout. But what does this result mean for Carlo Ancelotti’s men as they prepare for a mouthwatering quarter-final clash against Arsenal? Let’s break down the match, player ratings, key stats, and expert analysis.
Julian Alvarez with a huge mistake. Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid (Agg. 1-1, Madrid Win on Penalties)
First Half: Atletico’s Dream Start, Madrid’s Struggles
Atletico’s Lightning Start (1-0, 27 seconds!)
- The game exploded into life within seconds, as Conor Gallagher tapped in from a well-worked move down the right, stunning Real Madrid’s defense.
- The quickest goal of the Champions League knockout stages this season immediately leveled the tie at 1-1.
Real Madrid’s Lackluster First Half
- Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo struggled to break through Atletico’s compact defense.
- Kylian Mbappe was isolated and frequently lost possession in dangerous areas.
- Atletico continued to dominate midfield, with Julian Alvarez forcing multiple saves from Thibaut Courtois.
Second Half: Vinicius Jr’s Nightmare Moment & Real Madrid’s Fightback
Real Madrid Get Their Golden Chance
- In the 60th minute, Mbappe won a penalty after being dragged down by Clement Lenglet.
- Vinicius Jr stepped up… and blazed the penalty over the crossbar!
- The Brazilian’s miss was a major turning point, keeping the score at 1-0 on the night and 1-1 on aggregate.
Defensive Battle & Extra Time Drama
- Atletico nearly snatched victory late on, but Courtois denied Alvarez again.
- The game went into extra time, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments stabilized Madrid, while Simeone’s men lost their attacking edge.
Penalty Shootout: Chaos, Controversy & Rudiger’s Heroics
Julian Alvarez’s costly mistake – The striker slipped while taking his penalty, touching the ball twice, and the goal was disallowed.
Lucas Vazquez’s miss – The Madrid full-back failed to convert his spot-kick, keeping Atleti in the contest.
Marcos Llorente’s heartbreak – The midfielder smashed his penalty off the bar, sealing Atleti’s fate.
Antonio Rudiger, the hero! – The German defender converted Madrid’s winning penalty, sending them through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Key Match Stats & Player Ratings
| Statistic | Atletico Madrid | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 47% | 53% |
| Shots (On Target) | 10 (5) | 9 (4) |
| Pass Accuracy | 84% | 86% |
| Fouls Committed | 18 | 14 |
| Corners | 5 | 6 |
Real Madrid Player Ratings (1-10)
Antonio Rudiger (8/10) – Hero of the Night! Scored the winning penalty and led the defense with authority.
Thibaut Courtois (7/10) – Denied Alvarez multiple times and remained composed in penalties.
Federico Valverde (6/10) – Versatile performance, playing at right-back and midfield.
Kylian Mbappe (7/10) – Won the crucial penalty and converted his spot-kick in the shootout.
Vinicius Jr (4/10) – Missed a crucial penalty in normal time, had a poor overall game.
Vinicius Jr: From Penalty Villain to Lucky Survivor
Vinicius Jr’s missed penalty nearly cost Real Madrid their quarter-final spot.
Despite his struggles, Madrid’s resilience bailed him out.
One of his worst performances in the UCL this season—poor decision-making, lack of impact.
Expert Take:
Former Real Madrid legend Luis Figo: “Every great player has a bad game. Vinicius is lucky his teammates saved him, but he needs to step up next round.”
What’s Next for Real Madrid in the Champions League?
Quarter-Final Opponent: Real Madrid will face Arsenal in the next round.
Upcoming Fixtures:
La Liga: Real Madrid vs Valencia (March 16)
UCL Quarter-Final First Leg: vs Arsenal (April 9)
UCL Quarter-Final Second Leg: vs Arsenal (April 16)
Can Madrid continue their UCL dominance, or will Arsenal end their European run?
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s penalty shootout win over Atletico Madrid showcased their famous Champions League resilience. While Vinicius Jr’s penalty miss nearly cost them, Antonio Rudiger’s heroics and Courtois’ shot-stopping ensured they advanced to the quarter-finals.
With a mouthwatering clash against Arsenal ahead, Ancelotti’s men need to improve if they want to retain their Champions League crown.
🚀 Do you think Real Madrid can win the Champions League again? Let us know in the comments!
Real Madrid won cause Alvarez touched the ball twice during his penalty kick 😭
— Janty (@CFC_Janty) March 12, 2025
FAQs
1. How did Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid in the UCL last 16?
Real Madrid won the tie on penalties (4-3) after losing 1-0 in normal time.
2. Who scored for Atletico Madrid in the second leg?
Conor Gallagher scored in the first minute (27 seconds in) to level the aggregate score at 1-1.
3. Who missed penalties in the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid shootout?
- Julian Alvarez (Atletico) – Slipped and touched the ball twice.
- Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid) – Had his shot saved.
- Marcos Llorente (Atletico) – Hit the crossbar, sealing Madrid’s win.
4. Who was the Man of the Match in the Madrid derby?
Antonio Rudiger – Scored the winning penalty and led Madrid’s defense.
5. Who will Real Madrid play in the Champions League quarter-finals?
Real Madrid will face Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
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