‘El pitbull’ goal helps Atlético Madrid make QFs & knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League

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4-3 on penalties 

©TM/IMAGO

Real Madrid have booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after a dramatic victory on penalties against their city rivals Atlético Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. Connor Gallagher, nicknamed by manager Diego Simeone as ‘El pitbull’ had opened the scoring for Atlético after just 30 seconds. The midfielder became the first ever Englishman to score in the Madrid derby. Vinicius Junior had the chance to draw Los Blancos level in the second half, after Kylian Mbappé had showed excellent feet to win Real Madrid a penalty, but the Brazilian sensationally fired his spot-kick high into the crowd.

Vinicius was then substituted for his compatriot Endrick in extra-time meaning he wouldn’t take a penalty in the shoot-out. When it came down to the vital spot-kicks, controversy reigned. Julian Alvarez had scored his penalty, Atlético’s second of the shoot-out, but it was then disallowed by VAR after he had ‘double-touched’ his spot-kick. Marcos Llorente also then struck the frame of the goal, before Antonio Rüdiger scored the decisive kick to send Real Madrid into the last eight. Atlético will now play Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the quarter-final, with the first-leg to be played at the Emirates in April.

As illustrated in the graphic above, Ancelotti has now made it to as many as 15 Champions League quarter-finals – more than anyone else. That’s now more than Pep Guardiola (14). He is also ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson (12), José Mourinho (8), Arsène Wenger (7), and Jürgen Klopp (6). Atlético had to absorb plenty of pressure in Madrid this Wednesday, but Atlético are the masters at defending and their will, desire and hunger dragged them to penalties against last season’s Champions League winners. Throughout the night, they looked the fitter, sharper team. The ‘dark arts’ were also on show, with the ball-boys repeatedly throwing multiple balls onto the pitch to slow down Real Madrid’s restarts.

Simeone has twice been beaten by Real Madrid in the Champions League final (2013/14 and 2015/16), so the defeat at the Metropolitano would have felt all the more gutting for the red and white half of Madrid. Simeone’s team were superbly organised and mentally strong on the night, but undone by spot-kicks. Real Madrid will be confident of going head-to-head with Arsenal in the quarter-finals. If they can get past the Premier League side they would then face either PSG or Aston Villa in the semi-finals. Real Madrid certainly do not look at their best at this moment in the time, but they seem to just have the envious knack of creating special nights in the Champions League.