Real Win in Penalties, Atletico Out

Disallowed penalty kicks up a controversy

- AGENCIES

There is almost always drama when local rivals Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid play each other, but Wednesday's match in the last 16 of the Champions League takes some beating.

The result – Los Blancos progressing to the quarterfinals of the tournament after a penalty shootout win – is all too familiar, but the circumstances in which it happened is anything but.

The controversy centers around a disallowed penalty during a dramatic shootout, where the video assistant referee (VAR) determined that Atlético's Julián Álvarez had double-kicked his effort.

The moment gave Real Madrid an advantage, which it capitalized on, but it also sent confusion and anger swirling around the stadium on a memorable night of Champions League action.

Real Madrid had won the first leg of the tie 2-1, but an Atleti goal within the first minute of the second leg on Wednesday leveled the aggregate score inside a feverish Metropolitano Stadium.

The host then dug in to keep Madrid's superstars at arm's length, with both sides struggling to find a decisive goal.