Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Round-Up: Real Madrid Defeat Atleti On Penalties; Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Dortmund Advance

Holders Real Madrid have reached their fifth consecutive UEFA Champions League quarter-final despite a 1-0 second-leg loss to Atlético de Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side prevailed in a penalty shootout to eliminate their city rivals.

Meanwhile, two Premier League sides—Arsenal and Aston Villa—also advanced. The Gunners progressed comfortably despite a home draw with PSV, while Villa delivered another strong performance against Club Brugge. Last season’s runners-up, Borussia Dortmund, secured their place by overcoming Lille.

Here’s a roundup of the action.

Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Round-Up

Real Madrid Edge Past Atleti in Penalty Shootout Thriller

Atleti 1-0 Real Madrid (Agg: 2-2, 2-4 pens)

Antonio Rüdiger held his nerve to convert the decisive penalty as Real Madrid secured a quarter-final spot despite a 1-0 second-leg loss to Atlético de Madrid.

Julián Álvarez and Marcos Llorente missed from the spot for Atleti, while Jan Oblak denied Lucas Vázquez. However, Rüdiger calmly slotted his effort just inside Oblak’s right-hand post to seal Madrid’s progression.

Diego Simeone’s side made a dream start when Conor Gallagher struck just 28 seconds into the game. Real Madrid had a golden opportunity to equalize in normal time, but Vinícius Júnior sent his 70th-minute penalty over the bar, setting up a dramatic shootout.

Player of the Match: Julián Álvarez (Atleti)

Asensio Brace Fires Aston Villa Into Quarter-Finals

Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (Agg: 6-1)

Marco Asensio scored twice as Aston Villa eased past ten-man Club Brugge to book their place in the quarter-finals. The visitors’ hopes faded early when Kyriani Sabbe was sent off just 17 minutes into the game.

Introduced at half-time, Asensio made an immediate impact, volleying into the roof of the net just five minutes later. Morgan Rogers then set up Ian Maatsen for his first Villa goal in the 57th minute, before Asensio sealed the dominant victory with his second of the night four minutes later.

Player of the Match: Marco Asensio (Aston Villa)

Dortmund Stage Second-Half Comeback to Set Up Barcelona Clash

Lille 1-2 Borussia Dortmund (Agg: 2-3)

Borussia Dortmund secured a quarter-final showdown with Barcelona after Maximilian Beier’s stunning finish capped a second-half turnaround against Lille.

Jonathan David gave the hosts a perfect start, steering in Ismaily’s cutback in the fifth minute. Lille then held firm through resilient defending and a string of saves from Lucas Chevalier to maintain their advantage at halftime.

Dortmund responded clinically after the break, with Emre Can converting a composed penalty to level the tie. Beier then sealed the victory in the 65th minute, smashing his strike into the top corner to complete the comeback.

Player of the Match: Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund)

Arsenal Cruise Into Quarter-Finals Despite PSV Draw

Arsenal 2-2 PSV (Agg: 9-3)

Oleksandr Zinchenko netted his first Champions League goal, while Couhaib Driouech scored on his full competition debut in an entertaining second leg in north London.

Zinchenko opened the scoring with a long-range strike in the sixth minute, but Ivan Perišić became the first away player to score at the Emirates this campaign, equalizing 12 minutes later.

Myles Lewis-Skelly struck the post before Declan Rice restored Arsenal’s lead with a header in the 37th minute. PSV, however, had the final say as Driouech lobbed David Raya with 20 minutes remaining.

Player of the Match: Raheem Sterling (Arsenal)

2024/25 UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final Fixtures Confirmed

Following the conclusion of the round of 16, the quarter-final matchups for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League have been set. The first-leg ties will take place on 8 and 9 April, with the return fixtures scheduled for 15 and 16 April.

Quarter-Final Fixtures

First Legs

8 April

• Arsenal vs Real Madrid
• Bayern München vs Inter

9 April

• Paris vs Aston Villa
• Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund

Second Legs

15 April

• Aston Villa vs Paris
• Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona

16 April

• Real Madrid vs Arsenal
• Inter vs Bayern München

All matches kick off at 12:30 AM IST.

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