In a dramatic turn of events, this week’s UEFA Champions League matches delivered edge-of-the-seat excitement as two intense penalty shootouts unfolded within just two days—a rarity since 2016. The quarterfinal stage is now set, featuring Europe’s elite clubs after a series of nerve-wracking encounters.
Inter Milan faced a crushing blow, suffering their first defeat of the year at a significant cost. Their matchup against Atletico Madrid became a rollercoaster of emotions. Trailing by a single goal from the first leg, Atletico seemed poised for elimination when Inter’s Federico Dimarco opened the scoring, extending Inter’s aggregate lead.
However, Atletico’s resilience shone through as Antoine Griezmann swiftly equalized, reigniting the hopes of the home crowd. Just three minutes before the end of regulation time, substitute Memphis Depay emerged as the hero, netting a splendid low finish to level the tie at 2-2 and force extra time.
The tension escalated into a penalty shootout, where both teams showcased remarkable composure. The match echoed the previous night’s dramatics, where Arsenal triumphed over Porto in another nail-biting penalty decider during their last-16 tie.
These thrilling encounters have set the stage for an exhilarating quarterfinal lineup, featuring some of Europe’s most formidable teams. Fans across Asia and the globe are eagerly anticipating the next round, where the pursuit of continental glory continues.
Reference(s):
A star-studded cast: Meet the Champions League quarterfinalists
cgtn.com
