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Depay-inspired Atletico Madrid dump Inter via penalty shootout
Atletico Madrid’s thrilling victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League round of 16 has propelled La Liga to become the most represented league in the tournament’s final eight.
Despite trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Atletico Madrid showcased resilience and determination to secure a 2-1 victory at the Wanda Metropolitano, forcing the match into extra time and eventually penalties.
The game began with Atletico pushing for an early breakthrough while Inter sought to defend their narrow lead. However, the Italian side soon found themselves on the offensive, resulting in a back-and-forth affair characterized by relentless attacking play from both teams.
Federico Di Marco’s shot gave Inter the lead in the 32nd minute, but Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann equalized just two minutes later.
In the second half, both teams continued to create chances, with Alvaro Morata and Marcus Thuram missing scoring opportunities. Oblak made a key save to deny Barella in the 80th minute, and Depay hit the crossbar for Atletico moments after.
Depay redeemed himself with a goal in the 86th minute, leveling the tie on aggregate. Despite late chances for Rodrigo Riquelme to secure victory for Atletico, the game remained deadlocked at 2-2 after extra time.
The match was ultimately decided by penalties, with Atletico prevailing 3-2 in the shootout. Notably, Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak played a pivotal role, saving penalties from Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klassen.
Atletico Madrid’s triumph not only secures their place in the Champions League quarter-finals but also contributes to La Liga’s dominance in the latter stages of the competition, further highlighting the league’s quality and competitiveness on the European stage.
Watch the match highlight Here: