Real Madrid beat Atletico in Champions League after Julian Alvarez penalty ruled out, Spanish juggernauts to play Arsenal

Real Madrid are through to the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a dramatic shootout win over Atletico and will meet Arsenal after their emphatic 9-3 aggregate win. More here.

Real Madrid produced a gritty display to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-2 win on penalties against rivals Atletico Madrid, following a 1-0 defeat after extra time on Wednesday. But it was a win not without controversy.

In the shootout Julian Alvarez scored for Atletico but his effort was ruled out as he touched the ball twice because of a slip as he shot.

Julian Alvarez scores Atletico Madrid’s second penalty, only for it to be later ruled out. Picture: Getty Images

Julian Alvarez slipped as he took his penalty kick. Picture: Getty Images

Diego Simeone’s Atletico side outplayed the record 15-time champions at the Metropolitano stadium for much of the game, but Madrid have never been eliminated by their cross-town rivals in the competition and they battled hard after Conor Gallagher’s first-minute opener to secure a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Thibaut Courtois made several saves to thwart Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Junior blazed a penalty high and wide for Madrid.

Atletico seemed likely to end a history of being dominated by Madrid in Europe but Los Blancos have the knack of survival down to a fine art and took the game to penalties. And then disaster struck for Atletico.

Referee Szymon Marciniak gestures as the penalty kick for Julian Alvarez is ruled out following a VAR review. Picture: Getty Images

Marcos Llorente also missed for Atletico before Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger struck the winner for the reigning champions.

Atletico played with caution in the first leg despite trailing, willing to take a single goal deficit back to the fiery Metropolitano stadium, where they believed they could really turn the heat up on their arch rivals.

Real Madrid knocked Atletico out in the 2017 semi-finals in the final European game at the Vicente Calderon, with this the first time the derby has been played at Atletico’s new home in the Champions League.

Antonio Ruediger celebrates Real Madrid’s victory. Picture: Getty Images

Antonio Ruediger (right) celebrates with his Real Madrid teammates. Picture: AFP

After defeats by Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 finals, the latter on penalties, and elimination on every other occasion the teams have met in the competition, Atletico were desperate to change the narrative.

They came flying out of the blocks and took the lead after just 27 seconds through Gallagher, levelling the tie on aggregate.

Rodrigo De Paul’s low ball in from the right was not cut out by Raul Asencio and former Chelsea midfielder Gallagher lunged in to beat Courtois from close range.

Atletico were content to sit deep and soak up pressure as Real Madrid pushed the ball around in their territory but were also ready to spring forward on the counter.

With a strong hand Courtois batted away a powerful Alvarez effort as Atletico sought a second, then denied the Argentine again at his near post before halftime.

The Belgian goalkeeper made another save to deny Alvarez soon after the break too, as Atletico continued to threaten and Jan Oblak was still untested.

MADRID TO PLAY ARSENAL

Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday to complete an emphatic 9-3 aggregate win and set up a Champions League quarter-final against holders Real Madrid.

The Gunners demolished the Dutch champions 7-1 in the Netherlands last week, making the second leg at the Emirates a formality.

Arsenal, who made seven changes from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United, were quickly out of the blocks, scoring in the sixth minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Oleksandr Zinchenko got Arsenal off to a quick start. Picture: Getty Images

Croatian veteran Ivan Perisic pulled PSV level on the night with a fine finish past the sprawling David Raya but midfielder Declan Rice headed Arsenal back in front.

PSV, seeking to salvage pride after last week’s humiliation, equalised with 20 minutes to go with a well-taken goal from Couhaib Driouech.

Arsenal, who have never been crowned European champions, will play 15-time winners Real Madrid in the last eight after Carlo Ancelotti’s side squeaked past Atletico Madrid on penalties following a 2-2 draw on aggregate.

Declan Rice heads in the goal to make it 2-1 and ultimately progress Arsenal through to the next stage of the Champions League. Picture: ANP via Getty Images

VILLA WANT TO MAKE ‘HISTORY’ IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Aston Villa captain John McGinn has warned Paris Saint-Germain that his team want to “write our names in history” when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Villa booked their first appearance in the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition for 42 years with a 3-0 win against 10-man Club Brugge on Wednesday.

McGinn battles for possession with Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken. Picture: Getty Images

Unai Emery’s side romped to a 6-1 aggregate victory in the last 16 as Marco Asensio came off the bench to score twice in the second half of the second leg at Villa Park.

Brugge had Kyriani Sabbe sent off for a professional foul on Marcus Rashford early in the first half.

Ian Maatsen netted in between Asensio’s brace to set up a fascinating clash with Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who beat Liverpool on penalties at Anfield on Tuesday.

Originally published as Real Madrid beat Atletico in Champions League after Julian Alvarez penalty ruled out, Spanish juggernauts to play Arsenal