Elsewhere, the much-anticipated Madrid derby between Real and Atlético lived up to its billing, albeit with a tactical and measured approach. Real Madrid emerged with a 2-1 victory in the first leg, but the tie remains finely poised ahead of next week’s return fixture at the Metropolitano.
Real struck early through Rodrygo Goes, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to curl in a sublime finish. However, Atlético responded well, taking control of the midfield and equalizing through Julián Álvarez’s stunning strike. The game saw moments of individual brilliance, but Brahim Díaz’s superb curler ultimately secured Real Madrid a slender advantage heading into the second leg.
Despite Atlético’s frustration at their defensive lapses, Diego Simeone remains optimistic about overturning the deficit in front of their home crowd. With only a single goal separating the sides, the second leg promises to be an explosive affair where neither team can afford to hold back.
With Arsenal’s dominance and the Madrid derby’s suspenseful narrative, the Champions League delivered another night of drama, setting up an exhilarating finish to the round of 16.