The thorn that Carlo Ancelotti said was wedged in Atlético Madrid’s side remains buried deep in their flesh, deeper and more painful than ever before. Six times now they have faced their city rivals in Europe, in 1959, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and again here and somehow they have been defeated in all of them, each more cruel than the last. The team that lost a European Cup final after a 93rd-minute equaliser and another on penalties was beaten again, and even if it was only a last-16 tie, this might just be the worst of them all. In part that is because of the pain accumulated, in part it is because of how it happened.How it happened was barely believable, even for a battle between these two. If Atlético didn’t beat Real this time, they may feel they never, ever will. Just when it seemed that fate might have shifted, it twisted the knife again. A goal after 29 seconds, a missed Vinícius Júnior penalty and a superb performance put them back on the spot again, another shootout. And ther...
Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in a Champions League penalty shootout following a controversial VAR decision that disallowed Julián Alvarez's goal due to a double touch. Atlético's early goal and strong performance weren't enough, as they suffered their sixth European defeat against Real, continuing a history of painful losses. Vinícius Júnior missed a penalty for Real before the shootout decided the match.
