Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid (Real Madrid win 4-2 pens): What Were The Main Talking Points As Los Blancos Book Their Quarter-Final Ticket On An Infamous Night At The Metropolitano?

In what was another Champions League classic on Wednesday night, Real Madrid booked their quarter-final ticket as they edged past arch-rivals Atletico following an infamous penalty shootout at the Metropolitano.

While Atletico might have returned to home soil on Wednesday chasing a one-goal deficit following their 2-1 loss at the Bernabeu last week, Conor Gallagher remarkably swept home after just 27 seconds here and sent the Metropolitano support into overdrive.

With chances coming at a real premium on either side of the half-time break, Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior had the chance to win it from the penalty spot in the final 20 minutes.

However, with Madrid’s attacking talisman shockingly blazing over the crossbar, it always felt that Wednesday’s heavyweight showdown would head to spot-kicks.

With neither side unable to bag a winner in extra-time, we were then treated to one of the most infamous shootouts in Champions League history.

With former Manchester City star Julian Alvarez adjudged to have clipped the ball with his standing foot before converting his effort, the penalty was ruled out following a VAR check and sent the contest almost into pandemonium.

Fede Valverde converted his penalty to put Los Blancos 3-1 ahead and although Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved Lucas Vazquez’s spot-kick to briefly give Atletico hope, Marcos Llorente rattled the bar and handed ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger the chance to write himself in the history books.

With the German international watching his effort somehow squirm its way past a heartbroken Oblak, Real Madrid will be more than aware that they dodged a major bullet across capital.

Dragging themselves across the finishing line here and with luck certainly on their side, Real Madrid will now be putting together their plans for a quarter-final showdown against Arsenal.

In what was a night of pure Champions League drama from the Metropolitano we have taken a look at the main talking points.

Something about Los Blancos and European nights

Overcoming the odds once again last season as they secured an iconic 15th Champions League crown following a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, there is a reason why Real Madrid are regarded as the kings of European football.

Although Carlo Ancelotti’s men might have a real domestic title scrap on their hands, Los Blancos somehow always find a way to drag themselves over the finishing line when on the European stage.

Claiming local bragging rights and handing their arch-rivals major Champions League heartbreak in their own back yard, it is no surprise why many feel that it is almost destined that Real will make more European history in 2025.

Extending on their Champions League adventure last month and laying down a statement of intent as they secured a 6-3 aggregate win against Manchester City, Wednesday’s guests are a force to be reckoned with over the final couple of months.

Enjoying what was another iconic European night and with the cards once again falling in their favour, the rest of Europe’s elite will be wondering just who can officially stop Ancelotti’s side from storming their way to yet another European final.

How much could this heartbreak dent Atletico going forward?

While Atletico might have eventually fallen to a 2-1 loss when they travelled across the capital last week, Diego Simeone’s men returned to the Metropolitano having taken plenty of positives away from a gritty performance at the Bernabeu.

Dominating large spells here and getting off to a dream start on Wednesday night, Atletico suffered what will long be remembered as infamous European heartbreak on home soil.

Although Simeone might have been quick to passionately defend his players following the full-time whistle, you do wonder just how much Wednesday’s heartbreak will take out of Atletico going forward.

Opening their second-leg showdown having mustered just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions, Atletico must find a way to dust themselves down quickly.

Currently sat just a single point adrift of climbing to the top of the La Liga table, Simeone’s side face what is another season-defining showdown this weekend when they welcome bitter title rivals Barcelona to the Spanish capital.

Arsenal await in the final eight

Edging past their historic foes away from the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, Los Blancos will now have their sights firmly set on what will be another epic Champions League battle.

Watching Premier League giants Arsenal breeze their way past PSV following a remarkable 9-3 aggregate victory, Madrid will be desperate to collect another iconic English scalp en route to claiming a history-making 16th European crown.

With the Gunners watching their Premier League title ambitions take a critical blow over the past month, Arsenal have placed all of their eggs in the European basket and know that Champions League success is their only hope of claiming a piece of silverware this season.

However, already storming their way past Manchester City last month, Ancelotti’s superstar squad will certainly be relishing a trip to north London for their first-leg battle on April 8th.

Match Report

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo, Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher, Griezmann, Alvarez

Subs: Azpilicueta, Le Normand, Lino, Molina, Correa, Sorloth

Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior

Subs: Garcia, Vazquez, Camavinga, Endrick, Diaz

Goals: Gallagher (1’)

Yellow Cards: Atletico Madrid: Simeone, Lenglet, Llorente, Azpilicueta – Real Madrid: Mbappe, Vazquez, Tchouameni

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Szymon Marciniak