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Atletico beat PSV 8-7 on penalties to reach CL quarters; City into quarter final for first time

Associated Press Wednesday, 16 March 2016, 06:20 Last update: about 9 years ago

Atletico Madrid beat PSV Eindhoven 8-7 in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the third straight season.

Juanfran scored the decisive penalty for Atletico after Luciano Narsingh struck the crossbar in the previous attempt.

After an even match in which both sides had chances, the teams repeated their 0-0 draw from the first leg in regulation time and remained scoreless in extra time, when Atletico had the edge but couldn't capitalize on its scoring opportunities.

In the shootout, players from both sides scored with every penalty until Narsingh fired a powerful shot against the bar, igniting the crowd that packed the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Juanfran then converted the final penalty and sprinted toward the corner kick flag to celebrate in front of the fans, as his teammates followed behind.

"It was a real heart-stopper," Juanfran said. "I'm very happy to see how the crowd got behind the side. We believe, our coach makes us believe and we have a lot of hunger and heart. We believe in all that we do."

It was the first time a Champions League knockout tie had gone to penalties without a goal in either leg. The most penalties in a Champions League shootout came in a preliminary round in 1993-94, when Skonto of Latvia beat Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia 11-10.

"Behind Juanfran's winning penalty is a lot of hard work from a lot of people and it's a great thrill for us to be in the quarters," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "We will continue competing and we won't underestimate what it means to get to the last eight."

Atletico also had advanced in a shootout in last season's round of 16, defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-2.

"The lads are tired, but proud of what we've done," said Fernando Torres, one of the penalty takers for Madrid. "The important thing is we're in the next round. You take a penalty knowing what you're doing, just like we did last season. We did not miss a single one and that shows character, especially from the young lads."

The Spanish club will try to return to the semifinals for the first time since losing the final to Real Madrid in 2014. It was eliminated by its city rival in last season's quarters. PSV was trying to reach the quarters for the first time since 2007, when it fell to Liverpool in the last eight.

"We are proud of the two performances against Atletico, especially here," PSV coach Phillip Cocu said.

Needing a win after the first leg in the Netherlands, Atletico failed to make the most of home advantage at the Vicente Calderon, where it had lost only twice in its previous 27 Champions League games.

PSV played much better than it did at home and had opportunities throughout the game. Its best chance was in the 58th minute when Jurgen Locadia struck the far post with a shot from inside the area.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak deflected Locadia's strike just enough to keep the ball from going in. Striker Luuk de Jong, returning from a suspension, just missed with a header after the ball rebounded off the woodwork.

"We played even the entire match and had our chances," PSV midfielder Andres Guardado said. "I don't know if in the shootout it comes down to luck or ability, but in the end they are the ones who advanced."

Atletico had plenty of possession but was unable to dominate the way it did in the first leg. Torres had a late chance but his shot from close range was saved by PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet in the 86th, sending the game into extra time.

Atletico controlled the game from there and came close to finally breaking the deadlock with a powerful header by substitute Lucas Hernandez in the 94th. France striker Antoine Griezmann, who had scored in his last four Spanish league games, had a shot saved just before the end of the first extra time period.

Manchester City's players trudged off the field. Many fans left early. The final whistle was greeted with only a smattering of cheers.

It was hardly the way the English club envisaged marking progress to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in its history.

Another landmark feat for Abu Dhabi-owned City was achieved on Tuesday thanks to a lackluster 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev at Etihad Stadium, which sealed a 3-1 victory on aggregate. Progress came with little fanfare and at a cost, with captain Vincent Kompany hobbling off in the fifth minute with a recurrence of his long-standing calf problems that could keep him out for a month.

"It was really satisfying to make history for this club," City defender Pablo Zabaleta, although it was hard to tell by the end.

Injuries to Kompany and fellow center back Nicolas Otamendi, who hobbled off in the 23rd after a clash of knees, were the major incidents in a soporific match as City advanced with the minimum of concern but without impressing, either.

Kiev, seeking a first Champions League quarterfinal berth since 1999, needed to score three goals to stand a chance of advancing but barely threatened until creating a couple of opportunities in the final minutes. City's reorganized defense stayed relatively solid and the team took few risks, with winger Jesus Navas striking a 61st-minute shot against the post for City's best chance.

"Unfortunately we have lost our match in Kiev," Dynamo coach Sergei Rebrov said.

Atletico Madrid beat PSV Eindhoven 8-7 on penalties to advance after the night's other match finished 0-0 after both legs and extra time.

City's ownership in the Middle East has had tangible reward for their influx of cash since 2008 in the shape of five domestic trophies, including two Premier League titles. Yet progress beyond the last 16 in five seasons in the Champions League has eluded them — until now.

City will be hoping to avoid the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona — should the Spanish champion advance, as expected, on Wednesday — as likely the only English club in Friday's draw for the quarterfinals.

"When you are at this stage, all the teams are difficult," Pellegrini said. "I keep having in my mind that the team that it is better than all the other teams is Barcelona. I think all the other teams are at a similar level."

Aside from possibly Sergio Aguero, Kompany was the last person Pellegrini would have wanted to see come off injured given his importance to the team and the assuredness he brings to an often shaky defense.

The Belgium international appeared to get hurt over-reaching as he turned to retrieve the ball under pressure. He immediately kicked the ball out before signaling to the bench and slumping to the ground.

As he stared glumly in anticipation of a third injury layoff this season, the Etihad fell silent and groans were heard.

City's problems exacerbated when Otamendi indicated to come off in the 23rd as he thumped a clearance downfield. Minutes earlier, he had come off worse after a clash of knees with Vitaliy Buyalskiy and had been hobbling around.

City, fortunately, had two center backs on the bench in Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis, who dealt adequately with Dynamo's sporadic attacks.

"We knew before the game that Dynamo had to score three goals to qualify," Pellegrini said. "We didn't want to force the game. Dynamo didn't take any risks, also. But so many times I think this team receives criticism that we don't know how to defend. I think we defended today without any problems."

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