NEW DELHI: Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid faced off in a dramatic Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday evening, with the former emerging victorious after a penalty shootout. The match was a rollercoaster ride, with both teams trading blows and the lead changing hands multiple times.
The first leg had ended with Real Madrid leading 2-1, but Conor Gallagher’s early goal for Atletico in the second leg levelled the aggregate score.
Real Madrid had the chance to seal the tie in regulation time when they were awarded a penalty, but Vinicius Junior squandered the opportunity, sending the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
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The penalty shootout was a dramatic affair, with a controversial decision to disallow Julian Alvarez’s penalty for Atletico after a VAR review.
Despite the setback, Atletico kept their composure, but it was ultimately Real Madrid who prevailed, with Antonio Rudiger’s penalty proving to be the decisive strike.
Elsewhere, Arsenal and Aston Villa secured their places in the Champions League quarter-finals with convincing aggregate victories over PSV Eindhoven and Club Brugge, respectively.
Arsenal’s progress was never in doubt after their 7-1 first-leg win, while Aston Villa benefited from an early red card for Club Brugge to cruise to a 6-1 aggregate triumph.
Marco Asensio was the star for Aston Villa, scoring twice off the bench to continue his impressive form since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. Interestingly, Aston Villa will now face PSG in the quarter-finals, setting up a reunion between Asensio and his parent club.
Borussia Dortmund also secured their place in the last eight, overcoming a first-leg deficit to beat Lille 3-2 on aggregate. The German side will face Barcelona in the quarter-finals, a rematch of their group stage encounter earlier in the season.
The Champions League quarter-finals promise to be a thrilling affair, with some mouthwatering ties on the horizon.
Real Madrid’s experience and pedigree in the competition will be tested against Arsenal’s youthful exuberance, while Aston Villa’s fairytale run will face its toughest challenge yet against the might of PSG.
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