Real Madrid's decisive Champions League matchup was once again shrouded in controversy. After a tense penalty shootout victory over Atletico de Madrid, the Blancos punched their way to the quarterfinals (4-2). Real Madrid was outplayed for the whole of the game and found it difficult to match the passion of their local rivals, who dominated the pace and eventually ended the draw in extra time with a goal from Gallagher. However, Atlético's hopes were dashed when Julián Álvarez lost his feet while attempting a key penalty and unintentionally made touch with the ball twice.

The team led by Carlo Ancelotti put on what was perhaps their weakest performance of the season, with little tactical acuity, urgency, or unity. They were exposed by their haphazard play and lack of attacking vigor, but Atletico was unable to deliver the game-winning blow. Their failure to take advantage of their superiority kept Real Madrid afloat, forcing the match into penalties, when mayhem ensued.

VAR's decision to reject Álvarez's goal, claiming that his slip resulted in an illegal double strike, set up a tense shootout. Marcos Llorente wasted his chance, banging his shot against the crossbar, but Jan Oblak briefly restored Atletico's chances by thwarting Lucas Vázquez. Real Madrid, once again riding a wave of luck, managed to avoid elimination and advance to the next round, their ability to endure controversy intact.

Atletico Madrid outperformed their fierce opponents in every facet of the match as they charged into the first half with a declaration of intent. The hosts quickly established their control after charging onto the field at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano with ferocity in their veins. They took advantage of a slow and confused Madrid team and scored in the first minute, establishing the tone for a fierce struggle before the game had really settled.

Real Madrid frantically tried to come up with a response, but their season-long problems once again surfaced, leaving them without offensive bite. The guests didn't seem to have any ideas, and there was no chance creation. Naturally, Thibaut Courtois was the only one to show opposition. A lone figure resisting the assault, the Belgian goalkeeper made two incredible stops to keep the ever-dangerous "Spider" out of the game, averting what might have been an early collapse.

Superior in every way, Atletico had their opponents on the ropes, but they were unable to maintain the lead, so the door remained open. When the English midfielder's clinical strike shocked and shook the Madrid team, Courtois was their final hope. A tense and decisive second half was set up when both teams marched down the tunnel with the aggregate score locked in place as the halftime whistle reverberated around the stadium.

For the most part, extra time was a boring experience. Real Madrid settled down and started to make their presence known, but Atletico Madrid resisted, fending off attack after attack within their defensive third. In contrast to the regulation 90 minutes, Los Blancos found greater leeway in the last third, but their misfiring strikers wasted every chance they had. The most memorable instance? There was a heated argument instead of a goal or a spectacular display of skill, with Jude Bellingham scolding Vinícius Jr. for the Brazilian's negligent possession surrender. The game lumbered to its predictable end—a penalty shootout—because neither team could break the impasse.

The first to step up was Mbappé. Like he did in the World Cup final, he sank his shot despite being quite chilly under pressure. With a yell of joy, Sorloth roared back, smashing his shot into the net. Bellingham trailed behind, calmly taking his penalty. The match then abruptly changed course, leading to the moment that would cause controversy.

Fate took a surprising turn as Julián Álvarez went up to hit his penalty. At the pivotal moment, the Argentine lost his feet and unintentionally touched the ball twice. VAR intervened in a rare and quite unusual way after the incident initially went unreported. A flurry of controversy broke out inside the Riyadh Air Metropolitano when the officials declared the goal ineligible following a tense, drawn-out review.

Real Madrid seemed revitalized after noticing a change in momentum, with its players immediately aiming for a quarterfinal spot. Atlético, however, would not go in silence. Resilient Jan Oblak dived to his right and denied Lucas Vázquez, making a spectacular save to keep his team alive. However, the Colchoneros were in for a tragic twist of destiny. In a regrettable resemblance to Juanfran's legendary mistake in the 2016 Champions League final, Marcos Llorente rattled his attempt off the crossbar. The chance was lost. Then, with the same cool-headedness he displayed in Manchester the previous season, Antonio Rüdiger stepped up to bury his shot and advance Los Blancos.

Carlo Ancelotti's team then moved on to a much-anticipated quarterfinal matchup with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. However, as there is no precedent for such an incident in the tournament's pivotal stages, the dispute surrounding their qualification will surely continue. When the official timetable for their matchup with the Gunners is eventually announced on Thursday, all eyes will be on UEFA's draw.

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