Atletico Madrid overcame a 1-0 deficit and defeated Inter Milan on penalties to make it to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, while Borussia Dortmund downed PSV Eindhoven 2-0 on March 13, Wednesday.
This would complete the Round Of 16 matches for the campaign as Atleti and Dortmund joined the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madird and Barcelona in the next round.
Jan Oblak the star for Atletico Madrid
In a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Atletico triumphed over Inter in a nail-biting penalty shootout, securing their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. The intense round-of-16 battle concluded with a 2-2 tie on aggregate, leading to a decisive shootout where Atletico emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline.
The drama unfolded at the Metropolitano Stadium, where Inter Milan initially took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to Federico Dimarco’s strike. However, Atletico Madrid quickly responded, leveling the score merely two minutes later through Antoine Griezmann’s adept finish. As the match neared its conclusion, Memphis Depay delivered a crucial goal in the 87th minute, pushing the contest into extra time.
Despite numerous opportunities for both sides to clinch the win during extra time, the deadlock remained, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout. Atletico’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, showcased his heroics by saving two penalties, while Lautaro Martinez’s miss for Inter Milan sealed their fate, allowing Atletico to advance.
Sancho and Reus on target as Dortmund progress
Borussia Dortmund clinched a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in three years, defeating PSV Eindhoven with a 2-0 victory, culminating in a 3-1 win on aggregate. The match featured standout moments from Jadon Sancho, currently on loan from Manchester United, who scored his second goal in consecutive matches.
PSV Eindhoven, striving for their first quarter-final appearance since 2007, showcased a revitalised spirit in the second half. A notable attempt by substitute Hirving Lozano nearly altered the game’s trajectory, his powerful shot from a distance of 25 meters striking the post. Johan Bakayoko’s agility saw him navigate past Mats Hummels, yet his effort was thwarted by Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, in a crucial moment during the 70th minute.
Despite a disallowed goal from Niclas Fuellkrug for offside, Dortmund’s persistence paid off in the dying moments of the game. After a close miss by PSV’s Luuk de Jong, Marco Reus seized the opportunity to solidify Dortmund’s victory with a decisive goal during stoppage time, ensuring their advancement to the next round of the Champions League.
