Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid (2-2 agg, 2-4 pens): Match report & 3 talking points as shootout decides tie | OneFootball

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The reigning European champions were 2-1 victors during last week's last 16 first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but Atletico swiftly levelled the tie on aggregate with Conor Gallagher's early strike the only goal of the return fixture.

It was the holders who triumphed during a dramatic penalty shootout, however, with Julian Alvarez and Marcos Llorente the guilty parties from 12 yards, the former in slightly bizarre circumstances with intervention from VAR, as Atleti were dumped out of the competition.

Madrid will face Arsenal in the last eight following the Gunners' astounding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16.

How the game unfolded

Madrid boasted a slim one-goal advantage heading into Wednesday's affair and would have hoped to retain their cushion for as long as possible. However, those aspirations were extinguished after just 27 seconds as the zealous Metropolitano crowd inspired Atletico into the lead, Gallagher converting from close range following Giuliano Simeone's near-post flick.

Diego Simeone cut a surprisingly composed figure on the touchline following the opener but was acutely aware of the gift that had been presented to his side. Gallagher's effort offered Atletico the ability to sink into their own half and absorb Madrid pressure, flexing their counter-attacking muscles once possession was retrieved.

The game plan proved a resounding success during the first half as the hosts comfortably subdued Madrid's star-studded attacking quartet. Los Blancos managed just three shots and an expected goals tally of 0.08 before the half-time whistle, while Alvarez twice stung the palms of Thibaut Courtois with venomous drives at the other end.

Madrid were desperate to disrupt Atletico's deep-lying defence after the restart but their rivals held firm. A speculative 35-yard effort launched high and wide by Aurelien Tchouameni epitomised their struggles in the final third.

Despite their woes, Kylian Mbappe produced a moment of inspiration that looked set to offer Madrid their equaliser, the Frenchman's exceptional agility forcing Clement Lenglet into a clumsy foul. But his hard work ultimately proved futile as Vinicius inexplicably blazed the penalty over the crossbar.

Angel Correa came close to scoring a stunning late strike just a minute after entering the fray that would have booked Atletico their ticket to the quarter-finals, but the substitute's wayward effort meant extra-time was required in the Spanish capital.

Tiring legs struggled to entertain during the extra half-hour as Atletico continued to frustrate their visitors. Los Blancos looked the most likely to sneak a crucial aggregate winner but ultimately blanked as a penalty shootout ensued.

VAR somehow took centre stage during the penalty showdown, disallowing Alvarez's converted penalty after the forward had slipped and the ball struck both his feet. Antonio Rudiger eventually produced the winning kick as he capitalised on Marcos Llorente's miss to send the holders through.

Check out the player ratings from Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid here.

Madrid are inevitable in Europe / JAVIER SORIANO/GettyImages

All in all, it was largely an infuriating night for the reigning European champions. They were unable to unlock Atletico's stubborn backline as the seconds ticked away, with Carlo Ancelotti's side some way off their best as they struggled on the big stage.

In the end, Madrid required some penalty shootout good fortune to fall their way as they snuck into the quarter-finals despite their sub-par display, but Los Blancos always find a way in European competition no matter the circumstances.

Wednesday only solidified the legend around the world's grandest giants, who rode their luck once more in a crucial knockout match. Ancelotti's side are simply inevitable.

More European heartbreak for Atletico

Atletico can't catch a break against their rivals in the Champions League / JAVIER SORIANO/GettyImages

Atletico have been here before. They have managed to best their city rivals in domestic competitions but that success has never translated to the Champions League. Another exit at the hands of Los Blancos will once again have Simeone cursing his luck.

As they have found out twice in Champions League finals in the past, playing well against Madrid is not enough to topple them in Europe. Atletico were defensively stoic in their narrow win across the 120 minutes of the second leg and were deserving victors on the night as they stifled the world's most lethal forward line. But penalties betrayed them once more.

Luck just refuses to fall into their lap in Europe's premier competition and they were once again unable to exorcise any demons during another heartbreaking evening.

Madrid forwards flounder on grand stage

It was a frustrating night for Madrid's forwards / Anadolu/GettyImages

It was an uncharacteristically underwhelming European outing for Madrid's usually devastating forward line. Rodrygo was withdrawn before the extra-time period, Mbappe was almost anonymous bar one moment of genius and Jude Bellingham was unable to conjure up any magic on his return to the Champions League XI.

But the most disappointing performance undoubtedly came from 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up Vinicius. The winger's utterly atrocious spot kick epitomised what was an incredibly frustrating evening, even substituted before the penalty shootout.

After failing to score across 120 minutes, they will need to be far better in open play if they want to retain their title.