Atletico Madrid withstood a tight battle against Tottenham Hotspur to reach the quarter-finals of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League with a 7-5 aggregate victory despite a 3-2 defeat in North London on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone’s side, who scored four times in the opening 22 minutes of last week’s 5-2 home draw, faltered under Spurs’ attack but goals from Julian Alvarez and David Hancko gave Atletico some breathing space.
Randal Kolo Muani’s header gave Tottenham a half-time lead and fueled hopes of a big breakaway.
Alvarez scored the equalizer shortly after half-time, but when Xavi Simons restored Tottenham’s lead shortly afterwards with a curling effort, hope returned for the hosts.
Atletico keeper Juan Musso made some crucial saves as Tottenham surged forward, but Hancko’s header near the post stopped the goal.
A 90th minute penalty tucked away by Simons in the 90th minute came too late but at least provided a morale boost for Tottenham as they now focus on avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
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Atletico will face Barcelona in the quarter-finals.
HARRY KANE REACHES 50 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOALS
Striker Harry Kane scored twice as Bayern Munich crushed Atalanta 4-1 on Wednesday for a 10-2 aggregate defeat to reach the last eight.
Kane became the first English player to score 50 goals in the Champions League, needing 66 games, making him the third fastest to reach the milestone dhjb.
The Bavarians, chasing a trio of titles, will next face Real Madrid in a mouth-watering quarter-final between two continental heavyweights who have become European champions 21 times between them.
With Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig having recovered just in time from last week’s concussion, Bayern was on the attack from the start, despite taking a 6-1 lead from the first leg.
Kane opened his account with a 25th-minute penalty, which he had to take again after keeper Marco Sportiello saved his first attempt but cleared the line too early.
The England captain, who is also the Bundesliga’s top scorer, scored his tenth Champions League goal of the season nine minutes after the restart when he spectacularly shook off two players, turned and fired home to make it 2-0.
Teenager Lennart Karl scored the third goal just two minutes later after an assist from Luis Diaz, and Karl returned the favor with a pinpoint cross for the Colombian to also get on the scoresheet in the 70th. Lazar Samardzic scored a late consolation goal for the Italians.
Published on March 19, 2026
