Fresh from a thrilling UEFA Champions League Round of 16 victory over Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid players have been given an unexpected reward from club president Florentino Perez. The dramatic encounter saw the match head into a penalty shootout after Conor Gallagher’s early goal in the opening 27 seconds failed to separate the two teams across 120 minutes. Los Blancos held their nerve, clinching a 4-2 victory in the shootout to knock out their city rivals.
Controversial Penalty Shootout Moment
A crucial turning point in the shootout came when Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez had his penalty disallowed due to an unfortunate double touch. With that advantage, Real Madrid secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they now prepare to take on Arsenal as they chase an unprecedented 16th Champions League title.
Florentino Perez’s Generous Gesture
Following their hard-fought victory, club president Florentino Perez ensured the players’ efforts did not go unnoticed. According to reports, each member of the Real Madrid squad received a €250,000 bonus for eliminating their bitter rivals. Furthermore, the squad stands to earn even more should they go on to lift the FIFA Club World Cup later this year.
Real Madrid’s Champions League Campaign
Despite their dramatic Round of 16 success, Real Madrid’s European journey has been anything but smooth. They barely made it past the new league-stage format, finishing 11th overall, but responded in style with a dominant 6-3 aggregate victory over Manchester City in the playoffs.
La Liga Title Race Heats Up
In La Liga, the title race remains fiercely contested. Barcelona currently lead the standings with 60 points, while Real Madrid are level on points but have played one extra match. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, remain in close pursuit with 56 points as the season heads into its decisive phase.
Real Madrid’s triumph over Atletico has not only strengthened their ambitions in Europe but has also been met with financial rewards, further motivating the squad as they chase multiple titles this season.
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