Atletico come from behind to edge Inter on penalties

Last 16 2nd leg

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan (Agg. 2-2) Atletico win 3-2 on penalties

Jan Oblak was the hero for Atletico Madrid as they beat Inter Milan on penalties to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Inter, who reached the final of last year’s competition, went ahead at the Wanda Metropolitano through Federico Dimarco, but Diego Simeone’s team showed their usual never-say-die spirit.

Antoine Griezmann levelled instantly and a late effort by Memphis Depay sent the last-16 tie to extra-time where spot-kicks were required.

After Oblak thwarted Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klassen, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez smashed his effort from 12 yards high and wide to send the LaLiga outfit through to the last eight.

Inter had claimed a narrow 1-0 win at the San Siro on February 20 and, after they weathered an initial Atletico storm, they went ahead after 33 minutes.

A brilliant team move produced the opener with captain Martinez dropping deep before Nicolo Barella burst forward on the left and cut back for Dimarco to fire beyond Oblak.

The home crowd were stunned, but Atletico responded within two minutes through Griezmann’s first goal since January 18.

Koke sent the ball back into the area and Inter defender Benjamin Pavard’s sliced clearance landed perfectly for Griezmann to swivel and smash into the corner for his 19th goal of the campaign.

Simeone’s team still needed another goal to keep the tie alive and were frustrated for the majority of the second half until substitute Depay stepped up.

Depay was sent on with 11 minutes of normal time left and scored eight minutes later after he collected Koke’s pass and rifled into the bottom corner.

There was still time for Atletico to fashion one final chance, but Rodrigo Riquelme blasted over at the back post in stoppage time to ensure extra time was required.

Chances were few and far between during the additional 30 minutes and penalties were needed to determine the quarter-finalist.

Oblak starred with saves to deny Sanchez and Klaassen before Inter captain Martinez drilled his spot-kick off target to hand Atletico a 3-2 win on penalties.