For the sixth time in European competition, Atlético Madrid fell to their city rivals, Real Madrid. Despite an inspired performance and a promising start, they once again suffered a painful defeat, adding another chapter to their long history of heartbreak in these encounters.
A goal from Conor Gallagher after just 29 seconds, a missed penalty by Vinícius Júnior, and an overall dominant display from Atlético still weren’t enough to overcome Real’s resilience. The match ended 1-0 in Atlético’s favor on the night, leveling the aggregate score at 2-2 and forcing a penalty shootout. Once there, the script followed a familiar pattern. Marcos Llorente struck the bar, and Jan Oblak got fingertips to Antonio Rüdiger’s decisive kick but couldn’t keep it out. However, the real drama came when Julián Alvarez’s penalty was disallowed by VAR for a rare double contact after he slipped, sealing Atlético’s fate in the cruelest manner.
From the opening moments, Atlético seemed to have the upper hand. Gallagher’s goal came after an impressive sequence involving Julián Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul, with the Englishman racing in to finish. Throughout the first half, Atlético controlled the game, creating numerous chances, particularly exploiting the right flank. Thibaut Courtois, returning from injury, was repeatedly called into action, making crucial saves to keep Real in the game.
Real struggled to mount a meaningful response, their frustration evident on the touchline. Despite Atlético’s dominance, the specter of past defeats loomed over the stadium. That fear materialized when Real were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute after Kylian Mbappé was brought down by Clément Lenglet. Yet, when Vinícius stepped up, his shot sailed high over the bar, seemingly signaling a shift in fortune.
But fate had one final twist in store. As extra time approached, both teams pressed on, desperate to avoid the lottery of penalties. Ángel Correa fired just over the bar, while Rüdiger and Fede Valverde had opportunities at the other end. Marcos Llorente nearly won it late on, but his effort flashed just wide, ensuring the match would be decided from the spot.
When the shootout arrived, Atlético’s curse persisted. Llorente’s miss and Oblak’s near-save were devastating, but nothing compared to the heartbreak of Alvarez’s slip. With the VAR ruling his penalty invalid due to the double contact, the moment encapsulated Atlético’s never-ending torment in this rivalry.
Despite their best efforts and the hope that this time might be different, Atlético once again fell short. Their performance had been valiant, but Real Madrid’s ability to endure and emerge victorious remained unshaken. Atlético had made them suffer, but in the end, it was they who were left with the pain, still searching for a way to overcome their fiercest rivals on Europe’s biggest stage.
