Football

Real Madrid Player Ratings as Los Blancos Squeeze Past Atletico Madrid on Penalties (2-2 Agg, 2-4 Pens) | UCL Round of 16 Leg 2

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published13 Mar 2025

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Reigning European champions Real Madrid qualified for the 2024-25 Champions League quarter-finals after a dramatic shootout victory over their noisy neighbours Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, 12 March. 

UCL Round of 16 Second Leg: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – Match Summary

Los Blancos came into the UCL Round of 16 second leg on the back of a slender 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Playing in front of a packed Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico were always going to go for the kill, but even the most ardent er would not have expected them to level the tie within the first 30 seconds.

It was a sweeping team move from Los Rojiblancos, which started with Antoine Griezmann’s interception in midfield. The Frenchman played it to Conor Gallagher, who brought Julian Alvarez into the fold. The Argentine sprayed the ball out to his countryman Rodrigo De Paul on the right flank, allowing him to put a low cross into the box. Guiliano Simeone cleverly left the ball for Gallagher, who convincingly bundled the ball across the line.

Atletico Madrid created a few more opportunities in the first half, but Thibaut Courtois kept the tie level.

In the 69th minute, Kylian Mbappe won a penalty for Real Madrid, giving the visitors a gilt-edged opportunity to equalize. Vinicius Junior stepped up to take the spot-kick but failed to convert, embarrassingly side-footing it over the crossbar. Simeone and Griezmann tested Courtois in quick succession in the 77th minute, but the Belgian refused to let the hosts wheel away in celebration.

A Nailbiting Shootout at the Metropolitano

With the UCL Round of 16 tie level at 2-2, the match went to penalties.

Mbappe and Alexander Sorloth made it 1-1 before Jude Bellingham put Madrid in front. Alvarez also found the netting for Atleti, but much to the home fans’ dismay, the VAR ruled it out. The Argentine slipped while taking his kick, with the ball touching both his feet.

Fede Valverde and Angel Correa scored to make it 3-2 before Real Madrid captain Lucas Vazquez saw his effort saved by Jan Oblak. Atletico star Marcos Llorente had the opportunity to level the score with his penalty, but he missed his mark, with his effort coming back out after hitting the post. Los Blancos centre-back Antonio Rudiger took the final kick, somehow squeezing the ball past Oblak to fire his team into the quarter-finals.

Real Madrid Player Ratings in the Dramatic Shootout Win Over Atletico Madrid

Thibaut Courtois (9/10):

He pretty much single-handedly kept Real Madrid in the contest. The 32-year-old made seven saves throughout the game.

Fede Valverde (8.5/10):

Fede Valverde, who recovered from a knock, covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Completed 113 es with 93% accuracy, made five clearances, and played 21 es into the final third. Simply brilliant.

Raul Asencio (8/10):

Centre-back Raul Asencio was irably poised and composed in the biggest game of his young career, keeping Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez quiet for most of the night. The 22-year-old made nine recoveries, ed four clearances, and won both his tackles.

Antonio Rudiger (8.5/10):

Former Chelsea centre-back Antonio Rudiger barely put a foot wrong against Atletico. Superbly blocked Angel Correa’s cutback to Alexander Sorloth in the 92nd minute and scored the winning penalty. Rock solid.

Ferland Mendy (6.5/10):

It was not the finest night of Ferland Mendy’s career. He started the game well but fizzled out as the match wore on. The Frenchman lost five of seven duels and committed two fouls before coming off in the 83rd minute.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6.5/10):

Aurelien Tchouameni had a good start to the game, with his distribution and press resistance catching our attention. However, his 39th-minute yellow card was damaging, as it compromised his ability to physically engage with Atleti players.

Luka Modric (7/10):

The ever-young Luka Modric had a decent game, with him completing 66 es with 94% accuracy, delivering three accurate long balls, and making three interceptions. He came off after running out of steam in the 65th minute.

Jude Bellingham (8/10):

After missing the UCL Round of 16 first leg due to suspension, Jude Bellingham returned to the starting XI on Wednesday. He completed the most dribbles in the game (4), won all three of his tackles, made five recoveries, and came out on top in 13 of 18 duels. It was a solid performance from the 21-year-old.

Rodrygo (7/10):

Rodrygo, who scored the opening goal against Atletico in the Round of 16 first leg, gave Real Madrid plenty of width on the right. Did not attack the box too frequently but made amends with his defensive shift.

Vinicius Junior (5/10):

It was one of the worst performances of Vinicius Junior’s career. The Real Madrid talisman not only missed a crucial penalty but also looked toothless in the final third. He failed to pull off 11 of his 14 dribbles, played just five es into the final third, and lost 15 duels.

Kylian Mbappe (6/10):

It was another night to forget for Real Madrid’s newest Galactico Kylian Mbappe. He neither took a shot nor created a goalscoring opportunity. Luckily, he did not fail to convert from the spot.

Substitutes:

Eduardo Camavinga [65′] (9/10):

Coming on for Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga gave the Real Madrid midfield the much-needed dose of dynamism. Completed 30 es with 97% accuracy, delivered three accurate long balls, and won five of six tackles. It was easily the 22-year-old’s best match of the season.

Lucas Vazquez [65′] (7/10):

Missed his penalty but was excellent on the right side. He created two chances, took two shots, and delivered four accurate crosses.

Brahim Diaz [79′] (6.5/10):

His dribbling was a treat to watch. The Morocco international also made two recoveries, won two fouls in dangerous areas, and played three es into the final third.

Fran Garcia [83′] (6.5/10):

Coming on for Ferland Mendy, Fran Garcia added pace to the left flank. Made two interceptions, won two ground duels, and played three es into Atletico’s third.

Endrick [115′] (N/A):

Did not get time to make an impact.