diego simeone (1).jpg
Real Madrid edged past Atletico Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face Arsenal. The match sparked controversy as Julian Alvarez’s penalty was disallowed for a double touch. Antonio Rudiger sealed Real’s victory, knocking Atletico out in heartbreaking fashion.

Real Madrid secured a dramatic victory over Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout at the Metropolitano Stadium, booking their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal. However, the tense encounter was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Julian Alvarez’s disallowed penalty.

Atletico had taken an early lead through Conor Gallagher’s goal, leveling the aggregate score and forcing extra time. With no breakthrough in 120 minutes, the match went to penalties, where Kylian Mbappe, Alexander Sorloth, and Jude Bellingham converted their spot-kicks. Alvarez then stepped up and seemingly equalized at 2-2, only for VAR to intervene moments before Federico Valverde’s turn.

Referee Szymon Marciniak ruled that Alvarez had unintentionally struck the ball twice—his right-footed shot ricocheted off his left foot as he slipped. According to UEFA rules, a penalty taker must not touch the ball again before another player does, making the strike illegal. The decision proved decisive, as Antonio Rudiger’s final penalty sealed Real Madrid’s 4-2 shootout win.

Atletico Madrid were left stunned, exiting the tournament heartbreakingly to their city rivals. Meanwhile, Arsenal, returning to the UCL quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, now face a daunting clash against the 14-time European champions. Their last meeting in the competition came in 2006, when Thierry Henry’s iconic solo goal at the Santiago Bernabéu led Arsenal to a famous victory.

As the football world debates the penalty call, Arsenal must now prepare for one of the toughest tests in European football—stopping Real Madrid’s march toward another Champions League title.