Real Madrid Edge Atlético in Thrilling Penalty Shootout

The Riyadh Air Metropolitano witnessed Real Madrid defeat Atlético Madrid 4-2 in a dramatic Madrid Derby on March 12th 2025 by winning penalty kicks and advancing to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. The Round of 16 second-leg match against Atlético ended with a win for Atlético by a 1-0 score after extra time but the aggregate remained 2-2 after Real Madrid defeated Atlético 2-1 in the first leg on March 4. Real Madrid won the intense Madrid Derby by displaying steady composure from the penalty spot when Antonio Rüdiger scored their deciding kick to advance in what became a legendary match between these historic rivals.

The match involved Atlético having dominant control during most parts until their downfall from Thibaut Courtois’ goalkeeping saves combined with their bad fortune in the penalty shootout. thẻ Real Madrid added another page to their prestigious European dominance over Atlético by beating them for the seventh time running in Champions League elimination tournaments.

First Half: Atlético Strike Early

Gallagher’s Moment of Magic

Within the first minute both teams started their match with intent when Atlético Madrid quickly scored their opening goal. During the first 39 seconds of the match Rodrigo De Paul executed a quick pass to Conor Gallagher who remained unoccupied in the six-yard area. The English midfielder successfully thrust the ball past Courtois to clinch a goal as he finished the pass delivered by Rodrigo De Paul while earning rapturous applause from the Metropolitano spectators. The quick goal eliminated Real Madrid’s small advantage from the first match while establishing an energetic pace that dominated the first 45 minutes.

Real Madrid’s Response Stifled

Real Madrid maintained an unsettled state due to their early deficit while searching for their regular attacking flow. Carlo Ancelotti’s highly offensive Real Madrid team experienced complete stagnation because Atlético Madrid continued their intense press scheme along with their organized 4-4-2 formation. With two defensive foes tightly marking him Nahuel Molina and José María Giménez took control of Vinicius Júnior throughout the game and Kylian Mbappe faced limited offensive opportunities because he started despite fitness questions. Federico Valverde failed to create opportunities from midfield due to the intense pressure of De Paul and Pablo Barrios thus leaving Real Madrid with only three timid attempts that missed Jan Oblak’s goal.

Home support at Atlético forced their opponents to defend tensely while their team launched numerous shots at goal. During the 39th minute Julián Álvarez attempted to score a second time yet his volleyed shot just missed the mark when Courtois intercepted it. The first half finished with Atlético leading the match through their 8-3 advantage in shooting opportunities.

Second Half: Real Madrid’s Resilience

Courtois Stands Tall

Defense took charge in the second part of the match while Thibaut Courtois displayed remarkable resilience. Real Madrid maintained their standing due to their Belgian goalkeeper’s superior defensive performance at the goal. Antoine Griezmann attempted a dipping shot from 20 yards during the 59th minute that Courtois stretched to intercept before it reached its intended goal. The defender turned down a second Álvarez attempt which came straight to his face and prevented his team from losing their only goal of the match.

Missed Opportunities

A clumsy tackle from Giménez gave Real Madrid their best opportunity to score during the 79th minute but Vinícius Júnior’s weak penalty effort allowed Oblak to successfully save it. Oblak greeted a weak Brazilian shot easily before it reached the goal and this save symbolized Real’s ineffective performance throughout the match. Having reached his breaking point on the sideline Ancelotti brought on Endrick alongside Luka Modrić to launch a comeback but Atlético’s defensive efforts strengthened with Robin Le Normand in the team refused to yield. With a 2-2 score between the two teams the match entered additional playing time after the second half concluded.

Extra Time: Tension Mounts

Tactical Chess Match

During additional time the security staff adopted strategic team plans from their tactical libraries. The approaching victory made Diego Simeone force his team to keep up their high-intensity level as Carlo Ancelotti instructed his players to take advantage of the worn-down Atlético defense. The two teams entered the initial extra time phase behaving cautiously because neither wanted to expose themselves fully. Samuel Lino fired a cross-goal low shot toward Courtois in the 98th minute yet the goalkeeper showed rapid reactions to save it.

In the later stage Real Madrid took control of the match despite Bellingham experiencing calf pain as he obtained a corner kick that produced a hectic situation inside the penalty area. Brahim Díaz pulled off a strike similar to his first leg heroics when he sent a powerful shot that Oblak managed to stop. Every effort failed to break the tie which led both teams toward the certainty of penalties.

Penalty Shootout: Real Madrid’s Nerve Prevails

Controversy and Clutch Moments

The 10 penalty kicks produced the very high tension that characterized the entire match. The first goal of the match came when Griezmann scored by calmly finishing his shot into the net beyond Courtois. Modrić scored on behalf of Real Madrid thus making the score 1-1. The critical moment arrived when Julián Álvarez of Atlético stumbled while kicking a penalty kick since this left-foot contact with the ball rendered his attempt invalid according to the referee before he took the kick with his right foot. The official referee canceled Álvarez’s attempt because of a double touch which resulted in his utter astonishment and the furious reaction of Metropolitano spectators.

A series of precise penalties exchanges between Valverde and De Paul brought the game to a 2-2 tie. Atlético hometown favorite Marcos Llorente took Real Madrid’s advantage when he struck the shot above the bar following his attempted kick. Endrick put Real Madrid ahead 3-2 with his goal before the goalkeeper Courtois correctly read the play to save Ángel Correa’s shot which signaled the match’s outcome. Rüdiger lifted Madrid forward with a final penalty kick to win the match and erupt the Real Madrid supporters while silencing the Metropolitano crowd.

Key Performances

Atlético’s Standouts

The match resulted in positive acclaim for Conor Gallagher because of his opening goal plus unstoppable fieldwork and De Paul dominated the game with his 19 successful passes through the opposition. Courtois described Atlético Madrid’s impressive performance by identifying how their “football was pumped out inside” while social media posts confirmed their substantial advantage of 8-2 in goal chances.

Real Madrid’s Heroes

The seven saves made by Courtoisʹs earned him recognition as the standout performance of the match for Real Madrid. The penalty shootout ended with Rüdiger’s coolness after his team delivered a strong defensive performance along with Brahim Díaz showing great energy from the substitute lockers.

Tactical Analysis

Simeone carried out his strategy exactly as planned by closing down Real’s attacking attacks while maximizing quick counterattacks and depending on his team’s youthful spirit. The lack of goal conversion from their dominant performance created a potentially lethal issue for the team. Ancelotti supported his team’s crisis management skills and match experience to secure a valuable lead during the first leg of the match just like Real Madrid does in European tournaments.

Post-Match Reactions

Ancelotti praised his players’ determination when he explained, “The match was tough but we managed to claim the tight advantage we brought from the first match at the right time.” The team understands how to handle overwhelming pressure that will come in the quarterfinals. The loss was harsh for Simeone who expressed his disappointment about not capitalizing on their available opportunities. Next match our supporters will provide additional motivation for the team.

Looking Ahead

In the next round Real Madrid will potentially face either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal because of the upcoming draw. Atlético Madride now turns their attention to LaLiga after suffering this emotional elimination by focusing on twelve consecutive home victories with an intention to move past their major setback. Aského GENERATED Lively game electricity once more while Real Madrid leveraged their European experience to secure the victory by scoring their goal in stoppage time.