There will be four more games in the second leg of the 2024-25 Champions League quarter-finals, with defending champions Real Madrid narrowly knocking out Atletico on penalties to set up a quarter-final with Arsenal. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa have both eliminated their rivals to reach the last eight of the Champions League.
Real Madrid knocked out Atletico 6-4 on aggregate after a superb performance in the penalty shoot-out, despite Atletico equalising on aggregate after just 27 seconds through Gareth Gallagher. Among them, Alvarez penalty violation, Llorent and Vazquez have missed penalties, but Real Madrid is still in danger of passing. Arsenal, on the other hand, cruised through with a 9-3 aggregate win at PSV Eindhoven. Despite PSV clawing back two goals away from home, Arsenal still managed to advance to the last eight on the strength of their first-leg victory.
Borussia Dortmund also showed great strength in the game against Lille. Despite Lille taking the lead in the opening five minutes, Borussia Dortmund eliminated their opponents 3-2 on aggregate through Emre Can’s penalty and Bayer’s volley. Aston Villa made it through to the last eight of the Champions League with a 6-1 aggregate win at Bruges. This is also the first time Villa since the reform of the Champions League into the top eight, for the team’s history has added a thick and heavy color.
So far, all eight Champions League finalists have been produced, namely Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. It is worth mentioning that the top eight teams all come from the five major leagues in Europe, among which two teams from La Liga, Bundesliga and English Premier League have been promoted, while only one team from French Ligue 1 and Italian Ligue 1 has been left.
In the next quarter-final, Real Madrid will face Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund will face Aston Villa. The clash between Barcelona and Bayern, as well as Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, will also be a focus for fans. The showdown between these teams will undoubtedly bring fans a wonderful football feast.
