Real Madrid Edges Atletico in Champions League Derby; Arsenal and Aston Villa Shine
Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid in a thrilling Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night. The match marked the beginning of the last 16 knockout stage, alongside impressive away performances from English clubs Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Real took an early lead just four minutes into the game when Rodrygo Goes dribbled in from the right and placed a precise shot inside the far post. However, Atletico responded gradually, leveling the score in the 32nd minute thanks to Julian Alvarez, who curled a stunning shot into the top corner for his seventh Champions League goal of the season.
Atletico controlled much of the game, with Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul pulling the strings in midfield, making it difficult for Madrid to regain possession. Thibaut Courtois made a spectacular save from Griezmann’s effort, but it was Brahim Diaz who restored Real’s lead in the 55th minute. He skillfully maneuvered past a defender and curled a shot inside the far post, sealing a vital win for the home side.
Arsenal crushed PSV Eindhoven 7-1, putting one foot in the quarterfinals. Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and Ethan Nwaneri doubled the lead shortly after.
By the 31st minute, Mikel Merino had made it 3-0. PSV managed to pull one back with a penalty before halftime, but Arsenal quickly regained momentum in the second half, with Martin Odegaard netting two goals and Leandro Trossard adding another.
Aston Villa also enjoyed a successful night, defeating Club Brugge 3-1 away. Leon Bailey opened the scoring early, but Brugge equalized through Maxim De Cuyper. Villa regained the lead thanks to an 82nd-minute own goal from Brandon Mechele, and Marco Asensio sealed the victory with a late penalty.
In Dortmund, Lille managed to earn a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund. Karim Adeyemi gave the hosts the lead in the first half, but Hakon Haraldsson equalized for Lille in the second, becoming the second Icelander to score in the Champions League after Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The drama continues on Wednesday with four more ties, including Liverpool visiting Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich hosting Bayer Leverkusen.
