Atletico Madrid Edge Out Inter Milan On Penalties to Champions League Quarterfinals

Atletico Madrid came from a goal down to defeat Inter Milan and qualify for the quarterfinal of the 2023/24 Champions League.

It was a cracker as the two sides locked horns for a place in the last 8 of the competition. Inter Milan went into the game with a one-goal advantage having edged out the LaLiga side by a lone goal in the first leg.

The Nerazurri had dominated the game at the San Siro with 19 shots but needed a 79th-minute strike by substitute Marko Arnautovic to secure victory.

However, the double-legged tie was still open with Atletico Madrid hosting the second leg at the Civitas Metropolitano.

The odds favored Atletico Madrid who have won seven of their last 10 games Serie A clubs. Conversely, it has been a deadlock for Inter Milan against Spanish sides in Spain. They went into the game with a dragging winless 10-match run against LaLiga clubs, losing 7 and drawing 3.

The game was on the balance with both sides struggling to dominate proceedings. In the 33rd minute, Inter Milan took a surprise lead through Di Marco, who delivered a thumping finish from Barella’s cross inside Atleti’s penalty area.

Atletico Madrid responded swiftly, after a howler of a defending by De Vrij. Attempting to clear the ball off his lines, De Vrij ended up passing the ball to Koke, who found Antoine Griezman with a looping pass.

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From close range, the French forward crashed the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-1. The goal was enough to tie the scores at the break

The second half almost ended barren with Inter Milan leading with a 2-1 aggregate. In the 79th minute, distraught Diego Simeone hovering restlessly on the touchlines brought on Memphis Depay for Morata as one of his substitutes.

Eight minutes after coming on, Memphis Depay sent the home fans bonkers with an 87th-minute equaliser. Receiving a pass from Koke, the Dutch fired a low shot into the bottom-left corner to level the tie on aggregate.

The goal dragged the game into extra time, and then to penalties where Atletico Madrid won 3-2 to qualify for the quarterfinals.

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