Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was left fuming after his side suffered a heartbreaking Champions League exit against arch-rivals Real Madrid, with controversy surrounding Julian Alvarez’s disallowed penalty in the shootout. The heated last-16 clash at the Metropolitano Stadium saw Atletico claim a 1-0 second-leg win, courtesy of Conor Gallagher’s stunning goal just 27 seconds into the match—the club’s fastest-ever goal in the competition. That early strike leveled the aggregate score at 2-2, following Real Madrid’s 2-1 first-leg victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Brahim Diaz had netted the winner after earlier goals from Rodrygo and Alvarez. Dramatic Shootout and VAR Controversy With neither side able to break the deadlock after extra time, the tie went to a tense penalty shootout. Real Madrid had a golden chance to seal victory in normal time, but Vinicius Jr missed a crucial penalty in the 70th minute, blazing his effort over the bar. The shootout began with Kylian Mbappe and Alexander Sorloth converting their spot-kicks. Then came the controversial moment—Atletico’s Julian Alvarez slipped while taking his penalty, unintentionally touching the ball twice before it flew past Thibaut Courtois and into the net. VAR quickly intervened, and referee Szymon Marciniak ruled the goal out, citing the double contact violation. The decision infuriated Simeone and the Atletico bench, leaving them furious as Real Madrid went on to clinch the victory. The defeat extends Atletico’s painful run of Champions League heartbreak against their city rivals, with Simeone left seething over yet another controversial European exit.
Simeone Rages as Atletico Madrid Crash Out of Champions League in Penalty Shootout Drama
