Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals
Carlo Ancelotti's side edged past Atletico after a controversial penalty shootout
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By YASEEN ZAMAN
Published: 18:51 EDT, 12 March 2025 | Updated: 19:09 EDT, 12 March 2025
Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final after Los Blancos edged past rivals Atletico following a nail-biting penalty shootout in the Spanish capital.
The Gunners eased into the last eight after a 9-3 win over PSV Eindhoven on aggregate; the tie was virtually sealed after Mikel Arteta's side claimed a 7-1 victory in the Netherlands last week.
Real came into their second leg clash against Atletico up 2-1 on aggregate, but were forced to seal the tie on spot kicks after Atletico led 1-0 after 120 minutes.
Diego Simeone's side were controversially denied a goal in the shootout, despite Julian Alvarez finding the back of the net for Atletico's second penalty.
His shot was ruled a miss because the ball ricocheted off his left foot after he initially kicked it with his right.
As per the FA's website, one of the rules when taking a penalty kick states: 'The kicker must not play the ball again until it has touched another player.'
Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the Champions League last-eight after a controversial shootout
In a penalty shootout, this rule is altered, as the kick-taker cannot make contact with the ball at all after it initially leaves their boot (as this would allow players to score rebounds).
And, since Alvarez made a second contact with the ball, it was determined that he encroached on the aforementioned rule.