Real Madrid, with the victory, kept alive hopes of winning a record-extending 16th UCL trophy.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Real Madrid on Wednesday night eliminated city rivals, Atletico Madrid from this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) after a dramatic penalty shootout.
They will now face Arsenal, who also defeated PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate in one of the other quarter-finals of the elite European competition.
Neither Real Madrid nor Atletico could find a winning goal before the end of extra time after Conor Gallagher’s strike – just 27 seconds into the game – had levelled the tie on aggregate after the former’s 2-1 first-leg win.
That meant penalties were needed to determine the outcome and, after the first three had been converted, Atletico striker, Alvarez stepped up to take his team’s second.
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However, while attempting to kick the ball, he slipped, but his effort ended up in the back of the net.
The referee initially gave it as a successful spot-kick, but it was subsequently ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR), who concluded that Alvarez kicked the ball twice as he struck his effort.
Fede Valverde, thereafter, converted his penalty to put Real 3-1 ahead and although Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved Lucas Vazquez’s spot-kick to briefly give Atletico hope, Marcos Llorente hit the bar.
Antonio Rudiger then stepped forward and converted his penalty to send Real through.
With the victory, Real Madrid keep alive hopes of winning a record-extending 16th UCL trophy.
