REAL MADRID will face Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals following a nail-biting shootout victory over their local rivals Atletico.
The tie ended 2-2 on aggregate after extra time thanks to a 1-0 win for Atleti.
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Conor Gallagher lit the blue touch paper a mere 28 seconds into the tie, tapping home from just outside the six-yard box.
Vinicius Jr had the chance to restore Real’s advantage from the penalty spot in the 70th minute.
But the Brazilian blazed his spot kick high and wide of Jan Oblak’s left-hand post, much to the delight of the Wandametropolitano Stadium faithful.
Both teams huffed and puffed for a winner in extra-time but were unable to breach the other’s goal.
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Kylian Mbappe got the shootout ball rolling, with Alexander Sorloth drawing Diego Simeone’s troops level.
Jude Bellingham re-established Real’s lead with a cool finish, but Julian Alvarez levelled the scores a few moments later – despite losing his footing.
But VAR sensationally ruled out the strike after a VAR check for a double kick.
That meant Ernesto Valverde’s strike fired Los Blanco’s into a 3-1 lead.
Angel Correra kept Atletico within touching distance with a neat finish.
Lucas Vazquez had the chance to fire Real through but spurned the opportunity with a lazy finish.
Marcus Llorente wasted Oblak’s good save with a poor finish and ended up being punished by a lucky Antonio Rudiger penalty.
The Spaniards will be full of confidence ahead of their clash with the Gunners, who they’re undefeated against.
The Spaniards will be full of confidence ahead of their clash with the Gunners, despite never having beaten Mikel Arteta’s troops.
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