Real Madrid secured a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals after a penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid in their Madrid derby clash. The game ended 2-2 on aggregate, but Real triumphed 4-2 in the shootout after Julian Alvarez’s penalty was controversially disallowed.
Atletico had leveled the tie when Conor Gallagher scored just 27 seconds into the second leg, canceling out Real’s 2-1 advantage from the first leg. However, a missed penalty from Vinicius Junior and no further goals meant extra time and eventually, penalties.
Alvarez appeared to have given Atletico the lead in the shootout, but a VAR review revealed he had touched the ball with his standing foot as he slipped before striking. The decision was overturned, and Real Madrid capitalized on the mistake, with Antonio Rudiger’s penalty securing their progression. 
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid reflected on the match saying, “We were very tired, but we won, thank God.” Atletico’s Jan Oblak admitted the team lacked luck despite a strong performance.
Real Madrid will now face Arsenal in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2006. Arsenal comfortably advanced with a 9-3 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven, despite drawing 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice helped them to a smooth victory.
Aston Villa also made it to the last eight after a 3-0 win over Club Brugge, securing a 6-1 aggregate victory. Villa’s Marco Asensio scored twice, taking his tally to seven goals in eight games since joining on loan from PSG.
In another tie, Borussia Dortmund fought back to beat Lille 2-1 in France and win 3-2 on aggregate. Dortmund will meet Barcelona in the quarter-finals next month.
