Spanish player Lucas Vazquez, a member of Real Madrid, expressed his happiness at his team's qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of local rivals Atletico Madrid, following a marathon match that was decided by penalties.

Real Madrid managed to secure a victory in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu with a score of 2-1, before Atletico succeeded in winning the return leg at the Metropolitano with a goal to nil, leading both teams to extra time and then penalties, which granted the royal club a ticket to the next round.

In his statements, Vazquez said: "The most important thing is Real Madrid's qualification; we were the better team, and we showed our great desire to advance to the quarter-finals until the end."

He added: "The players' celebration reflects how hungry Real Madrid is for victories; the match was significant not only because of the qualification but also because the team sometimes faces criticism and is not appreciated enough."

He continued: "In the end, we are in a good position in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey, and we need to absorb that well."

He concluded: "I missed a penalty, but what matters is the team's qualification, and I felt relieved after Rudiger scored the last penalty."