Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid (agg 2-2, pens 2-4): More Champions League heartbreak for Atleti as defending champions edge nervy shootout | OneFootball

Real Madrid have successfully booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Diego Simeone’s men trailed 2-1 after the first meeting but were level on aggregate less than 45 seconds into the second leg as Conor Gallagher fired home from close range.

Madrid gradually grew into the game, albeit without necessarily posing any significant attacking threat.

Julian Alvarez called Thibaut Courtois into action in the 25th minute, but the Belgian was up to the task this time around.

Madrid finally had their first attempt on target just shy of the half-hour mark, but Jan Oblak comfortably saved Rodrygo’s effort.

Alvarez continued his personal duel with Courtois five minutes before the interval with a fierce near-post drive, which needed the Madrid goalie to be at his best.

That was the final attacking moment of note in the first period as Madrid went into the interval lucky to be only a goal down.

Atletico made another fast start in the second 45 minutes and stung Courtois’ palms early on through Alvarez, who was denied for a third time on the night.

Carlo Ancelotti sent on Edouardo Camavinga and Lucas Vazquez for Luka Modric and Aurelien Tchouameni for the final 25 minutes.

Madrid were afforded a glorious opportunity to regain their aggregate lead midway through the second half when Clement Lenglet fouled Kylian Mbappe inside the area.

However, Vinicius Junior blazed the resulting penalty well over the bar, much to the relief of the Atletico fans.

Giuliano Simeone and Griezmann nearly made Madrid pay for their penalty miss moments later, but Courtois dealt with their efforts four minutes apart.

Less than a minute after coming on as a substitute, Samuel Lino was the next Atletico player to take a pop at Courtois’ goal with a long-range strike that was far from threatening.

Angel Correa was also sent for the final knockings of the contest and had an attempt within moments of his introduction, but he skied his effort.

Brahim Diaz and Alexander Sorloth had early sights of goal in extra time, signalling that both teams were keen to notch a winner and avoid a penalty shoot-out.

Having been located by Pablo Barrios in the box, Sorloth fluffed his volley attempt, while Vazquez’s shot at the other end from a free kick proved to be the half’s final moment.

The second period of extra time was unable to separate the sides, and penalties would now decide their fate.

Kylian Mbappe sent Oblak the wrong way to give Madrid the lead, after which Sorloth responded in kind to draw his side level.

Bellingham held his nerve to maintain Madrid’s perfect start, while Alvarez also scored but only after a double touch. His effort was disallowed.

Federico Valverde blasted past Oblak to put Madrid 3-1 up, and after Angel Correa had halved his side’s deficit, Oblak came up with a big stop to deny Vazquez.

With a glorious opportunity to restore parity, Marcos Llorente’s kick cannoned off the crossbar, leaving Antonio Rudiger with the opportunity to settle matters.

Despite getting a touch on Rudiger’s effort, Oblak could not do enough to keep it out, and Madrid sealed their place in the last eight.

Los Blancos will take on Arsenal in the next round.