Atletico Madrid 1, Real Madrid 0 (Aggregate: 1-1, Penalties: 2-4): Ancelotti’s Side Prevails in Contentious Penalty Shootout
JUDE BELLINGHAM and the reigning European champions are gearing up to take on Arsenal in the quarter-finals, following a dramatic derby win for Real Madrid.
Conor Gallagher scored an astounding equalizer just 27 seconds into the game, yet Atletico Madrid couldn’t manage to claim victory against their historical rivals.
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Real Madrid faced a challenging scenario, especially after Vinicius Junior missed a crucial penalty during regular time.
Nevertheless, they mounted a comeback during the shootout, a hallmark of their rivalry with Atletico, despite some questionable moments.
Julian Alvarez slipped while trying to convert his penalty, a situation that was quickly adjudicated by VAR.
The shootout progressed before his attempt was nullified, with the former Manchester City star found to have touched the ball twice.
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Despite the turmoil, many fans were left confused regarding the assistant referee’s ruling.
Jan Oblak was able to save a strike from Real’s Lucas Vazquez, but then his teammate Marcos Llorente struck the crossbar.
This provided an opportunity for Antonio Rudiger to net the decisive goal, managing to sneak the shot past Oblak, leaving Atletico supporters to fully comprehend the implications of VAR.
The fervent applause from Atletico’s fans, who lauded their team despite the defeat, was palpable at the game’s start.
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The atmosphere was electrifying just half a minute into the game when Gallagher found the net.
Atletico’s resolve was on full display at that moment. After Antoine Griezmann intercepted the ball in the Real half, it was passed to the right where Rodrigo De Paul delivered a cross.
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Guiliano Simeone, the manager’s son, failed to connect properly, but the deflection allowed Gallagher to tap it in during just his second start among the last eleven matches.
Real began to find rhythm but were not particularly menacing. Atletico’s intensity and aggression dominated the match.
So much so that it became a growing concern.
But they maintained that intensity after the break, continuing to unsettle Real and create opportunities.
The 15-time champions appeared to struggle, highlighted by Vinicius’s dismal penalty attempt.
The first moment Kylian Mbappe – who had been absent until this match – seized the space, leading to a penalty after Lenglet’s reckless challenge.
Yet his Brazilian teammate, visibly frustrated after missing out on the Ballon d’Or, blasted his shot high over the bar.
This was a significant setback, but they still remained level in the tie.
Atletico pressed for a winner in normal time, with Simeone and Griezmann attempting shots from distance. Substitute Angel Correa shot over the bar in the 90th minute when he could have assisted a teammate.
As in their last six cup meetings, extra time was necessary – though both teams seemed to be playing for penalties as the game progressed.
Bellingham had not been overly impactful but converted his penalty, joining Mbappe, Fede Valverde, and Rudiger to send the holders through.
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