.jpeg?width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800 "Atletico and Julian Alvarez were knocked out of the Champions League by the worst rule in football – UK Times")
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid renew their Champions League rivalry in the second leg of a fascinating last-16 clash, with Arsenal set to face the winners in the quarter-finals.
Holders Real Madrid take a 2-1 lead into the return leg at the Metropolitano after Brahim Diaz settled a tight contest at the Bernabeu last week. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are set to welcome Jude Bellingham back into their line-up, are out to defend their European crown having added Kylian Mbappe to Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo in a star-studded attack.
Atletico, who are still attempting to win a first Champions League under Diego Simeone, may have revenge on their minds: the hosts lost the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals to their city rivals, and also suffered defeats in the knockout stages in 2015 and 2017.
Arsenal fans may be watching with interest. The Gunners lead PSV Eindhoven 7-1 after last week’s first leg in the Netherlands, and will be travelling to Madrid barring an extraordinary collapse. But what side of the city will they be heading? Follow live updates from Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid in our live blog below
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
78 mins: Atletico won’t like who is coming on for Real.
Brahim Diaz enters the fray for Rodrigo. He was the difference-maker in the first leg and has scored three goals in his last five against them.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:38
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
76 mins: Real Madrid aren’t out of heart just yet.
Vinicius gets to the byline and dinks back towards on-rushing men in white. Vazquez heads towards goal but it’s comfortable for Oblak.
Real then get acres of space to drive into but it takes a superb tackle to dispel any threat. That was celebrated like a goal by Simeone Sr.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:35
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
72 mins: Suddenly there’s a hell of a lot of energy in this Atleti side again.
Alvarez goes up the other end and fires towards goal, well saved again by Courtois.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:31
PENALTY MISSED! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
70 mins: PENALTY MISSED! BLAZED over by Vinicius Jr!
It’s high, it’s wide, it’s into the stands. He’s not had a good night, and it’s got even worse.
An ABYSMAL penalty – and that’s lifted the Metropolitano!
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:29
PENALTY! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
68 mins: PENALTY! Real Madrid have a spot-kick, and it’s ALL down to Kylian Mbappe!
He dances past Lenglet who brings him down in the area. Stonewall, and the defender is lucky not to be sent off.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:28
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
66 mins: Simeone is in the book for clattering into Vinicius Jr near the left touchline.
Free-kick in a dangerous area for Real Madrid, but it’s too close to Oblak who collects with ease.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:25
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
65 mins: Changes for Real as Tchouameni and Modric make way for Eduardo Camavinga and Lucas Vazquez.
Vazquez takes the armband.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:24
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
63 mins: Elsewhere, it looks like another quarter-finalist is nailed on with Aston Villa 3-0 up on 10-man Club Brugge at Villa Park – making it 6-1 on aggregate.
Marco Asensio has scored once again – two on the night for him. Real could do with goalscoring exploits right about now.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:22
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
60 mins: CLOSE! Clement Lenglet latches onto a free-kick conceded by Vinicius Jr for a silly challenge, and he nearly makes the Brazilian pay.
His header flashes just past the far post, with Courtois looking stranded.
Vinicius was booked for his foul.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:20
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid
58 mins: It’s Reinildo this time who brings the ball away on the counter and makes a beeline for Real Madrid’s box.
Asencio does well to guard the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
The young Spaniard is there again when a loose ball threatens to give Atleti a run on goal, getting across and thwarting Griezmann with a sliding challenge.
Will Castle12 March 2025 21:17
