Real Madrid triumph in penalty shootout; Arsenal, Villa & Dortmund advance
Real had won the first leg 2-1, but neither side could find a decisive goal in extra time, forcing the game into penalties.
KATHMANDU: Real Madrid secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals after a tense 4-2 penalty shootout victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Atletico got off to a dream start at home, with Conor Gallagher scoring just 27 seconds into the second leg, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2. Real had won the first leg 2-1, but neither side could find a decisive goal in extra time, forcing the game into penalties.
The first three penalties were converted successfully, but former Manchester City forward Julián Álvarez slipped while taking Atletico’s second spot-kick, making double contact with the ball. Following a VAR review, his goal was disallowed.
Federico Valverde then made it 3-1 for Real, keeping them in control. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak briefly revived his team’s hopes by saving Lucas Vázquez’s penalty, but Marcos Llorente struck the crossbar, leaving his side on the brink of elimination.
Antonio Rüdiger sealed Real Madrid’s win by scoring the decisive penalty, sending Los Blancos into the last eight, where they will face Arsenal.
Arsenal, Aston Villa & Dortmund Cruise into Quarterfinals
English giants Arsenal and Aston Villa advanced to the UCL quarterfinals with dominant performances.
Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven at home, but their emphatic 7-1 first-leg win ensured a comfortable 9-3 aggregate triumph.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa eased past Club Brugge with a 3-0 victory, securing a 6-1 aggregate win to set up a quarterfinal clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Borussia Dortmund also made it to the last eight after a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Lille. The first leg had ended 1-1, but Dortmund’s resilience saw them claim a 3-2 aggregate victory.
