Real Madrid Stun Atletico Madrid in Penalty Shootout to Reach UCL Quarterfinals

Real Madrid emerged victorious from a dramatic Champions League round of 16 second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, securing a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 1-0 (2-2 aggregate) loss at the Wanda Metropolitano. Despite facing penalties and VAR controversies, Los Blancos advanced to the quarterfinals where they will face Arsenal in April on Paramount+, continuing their pursuit of the coveted trophy in Munich.

A Penalty Shootout Decides the Fate

The match was fraught with tension, culminating in a penalty shootout that proved decisive. Atletico Madrid missed one penalty during the shootout, while Real Madrid's Julian Alvarez initially had a goal disallowed due to a double touch after VAR review. However, these pivotal moments ultimately favored Los Blancos, who emerged victorious from the shootout.

Regulation: A See-Saw Battle

While the final outcome hinged on penalties, regulation time saw both teams engage in a fiercely contested battle. In the 69th minute, Kylian Mbappe won a penalty for Real Madrid following a challenge by Clement Lenglet. However, Vinicius Junior stepped up to take the penalty but sent it high and wide of Jan Oblak's net, marking his first missed penalty as a Real Madrid player.

Real Madrid's Penalty Rotation Strategy

Throughout the season, Real Madrid has employed a rotating penalty-taker strategy, with Vini Jr., Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham all attempting multiple penalties. The approach reflects Ancelotti's philosophy of riding the hot hand, allowing each taker to continue until they miss. Let's delve into the statistics:

1. Real Madrid penalty statistics
2. Name: Total penalties, Penalties made, Penalties missed, Conversion percentage
3. Kylian Mbappe: 7, 5, 2, 71.4%
4. Vini Jr.: 4, 3, 1, 75%
5. Jude Bellingham: 2, 1, 1, 50%

Unselfishness and Rotation

In December, during a match against Getafe, Mbappe relinquished the penalty-taking duties to Bellingham despite being in a scoring rut. Ancelotti lauded Mbappe's unselfishness, but when the next opportunity arose against Athletic Bilbao, Mbappe missed the chance. Subsequently, Bellingham also missed a penalty against Valencia, paving the way for Vini Jr.'s attempt against Atletico Madrid.

Pressure and Missed Opportunity

Facing Jan Oblak in such a high-stakes match can undoubtedly exert pressure on a penalty taker. Vinicius Jr., aiming for the upper 90, missed the crucial opportunity, sending the ball wide right. This miss had significant implications, as it prevented Real Madrid from taking the lead on aggregate.

VAR Controversy and Penalty Shootout Triumph

Extra time saw further drama unfold, with VAR overturning Alvarez's goal due to a double touch. Ultimately, the match progressed to a penalty shootout, which Real Madrid won 4-2. Antonio Rudiger delivered the decisive penalty, despite Oblak's valiant attempt to save it. Endrick, who replaced Vini Jr., did not get the opportunity to take a penalty in the shootout.

Mbappe's Penalty Prowess

With Ancelotti's current rotation strategy, Mbappe is next in line to take a penalty for Real Madrid. Despite his recent hiatus from penalty-taking duties in 2025, Mbappe boasts an impressive record with 47 goals from 59 penalties taken at both club and national levels (79.7%). Notably, he converted three penalties in the 2022 World Cup final for France, demonstrating his composure and accuracy under pressure.