In a high-stakes UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior missed a critical penalty against Atletico Madrid, leaving the outcome of the tie hanging in the balance. As of 1:00 AM EAT, the game remains ongoing, with extra time underway after a tense 90 minutes that saw the aggregate score level at 2-2.
The match, a thrilling Madrid Derby, has lived up to its billing as one of the most anticipated fixtures of the knockout stage. Real Madrid entered the second leg with a slender 2-1 advantage from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, courtesy of goals from Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz. However, Atletico Madrid struck early in the second leg, with Conor Gallagher scoring just 27 seconds into the game to level the aggregate score and ignite the home crowd.
The turning point came in the 70th minute when Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé won a penalty after being fouled by Atletico’s Clement Lenglet in the box. With the chance to restore Real Madrid’s lead and potentially secure their place in the quarterfinals, Vinícius Júnior stepped up to take the spot-kick. However, the Brazilian winger, known for his flair and dynamism, sent the ball soaring over the crossbar and into the stands, much to the disbelief of Real Madrid fans and the delight of the Atletico faithful.
Vinícius Júnior has missed a penalty for the first time for Real Madrid in all competitions (excluding shootouts).
High and wide from the Brazilian. pic.twitter.com/yaB34pSCh1
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 12, 2025
The miss has added an extra layer of drama to an already intense encounter. Vinícius, who has historically struggled against Atletico Madrid with just one goal in 16 appearances prior to this match, faced criticism from some quarters for his decision to take the penalty. Social media reactions highlighted the moment, with fans and analysts debating whether Mbappé, a proven penalty taker, should have taken the shot instead.
Despite the setback, Real Madrid have continued to press, while Atletico Madrid, under Diego Simeone’s guidance, have shown resilience and tactical discipline. The game has been a tactical chess match, with both sides creating chances but failing to find a decisive breakthrough in regulation time. As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, the referee signaled the end of regular play, and the match moved into extra time to determine who would advance to face Arsenal in the quarterfinals.
The penalty miss is not the only talking point of the night. Earlier in the match, Atletico’s defense, led by the likes of Marcos Llorente and José María Giménez, held firm against Real Madrid’s attacking trio of Vinícius, Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s defense faced challenges, with Ferland Mendy suffering a hamstring injury that forced him off the pitch, further depleting an already injury-hit squad.
As the game progresses into extra time, the tension is palpable. A goal in the additional 30 minutes could decide the tie, but if the deadlock persists, the match will head to a penalty shootout—a scenario that both teams will be desperate to avoid given the earlier miss. For Vinícius, the missed penalty could prove to be a defining moment, either as a source of redemption if Real Madrid advance or as a lingering regret if they are eliminated.
The winner of this tie will join Borussia Dortmund, who earlier secured their place in the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over LOSC Lille, setting up a clash with Barcelona. Arsenal also advanced earlier in the evening, comfortably progressing past PSV with a 7-1 aggregate scoreline.