Football is not just a game; it’s an emotion that brings joy and pain at the same time. When two of the biggest teams, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, face each other, the excitement reaches another level. Their recent Champions League match was filled with thrill, controversy, and heartbreak.
This match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, where Real Madrid won 4-2. But the way Atlético Madrid lost left many fans angry and disappointed. The turning point of the game was a VAR decision that disallowed Julián Álvarez’s penalty, which many believe was unfair. Let’s look at how the match unfolded
Atlético Madrid’s Strong Start
The match began with a bang! Just 30 seconds into the game, Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher scored a goal, sending the home crowd into wild celebrations. It was the fastest goal in the Champions League this season. Atlético looked stronger in the first half, attacking aggressively and defending well. Clément Lenglet and José María Giménez worked hard to stop Real Madrid’s forwards.
However, Real Madrid slowly gained control of the game. Even though they had more possession (62%), their attack was not sharp in the first half. Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham struggled to break Atlético’s defense.
A player in Kylian Mbappe who made THREE penalties in the highest of pressure cookers, the World Cup final, passing the penalty over to Vinicius Jr. with a chance to take his side to the quarterfinals 😮 pic.twitter.com/aXUETp7ap3
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 12, 2025
Match Stats: Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid
| Stat | Atlético Madrid | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 17 | 10 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 3 |
| Expected Goals | 1.42 | 1.15 |
| Possession | 38% | 62% |
| Accurate Passes | 440 | 790 |
| Corners | 10 | 10 |
| Fouls | 11 | 16 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 4 |
From these numbers, we can see that Atlético Madrid played aggressively and created more goal-scoring chances. But Real Madrid controlled the game with better passing and possession.
A Controversial Penalty Shootout
After 90 minutes and extra time, the score was still level, so the match moved to a penalty shootout. This is where things got dramatic and controversial.
During the shootout, Julián Álvarez took a strong penalty, but he slipped while kicking the ball. The ball still went into the goal, and Atlético Madrid players started celebrating. But then, the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) checked the shot and ruled that Álvarez had made a double hit, meaning the goal was disallowed.
Many fans and experts felt this was too harsh. But the referee followed the rules, and Real Madrid continued the shootout. Later, Marcos Llorente missed a penalty for Atlético Madrid, which allowed Real Madrid to win the shootout 4-2.
Mixed Reactions – Happiness for Some, Sadness for Others
For Real Madrid fans, it was a moment of celebration. They advanced to the next round of the Champions League and kept their dream alive.
For Atlético Madrid fans, it was heartbreak. They played their hearts out, but a controversial decision changed everything. Diego Simeone’s team gave everything, but in football, luck also plays a big role.
Even though Atlético Madrid lost, they showed great fighting spirit. Their fans can be proud because their team never gave up.
This match will be remembered for a long time, not just for the football, but for the emotions, drama, and controversy that came with it.