Atletico Madrid fans know a thing or two about heartbreak.
Two years ago, they were just seconds away from becoming European champions for the very first time, and by beating their most bitter rivals too.
But an injury time header from Sergio Ramos forced extra time and the Atletico players collapsed, shipping three goals in the additional periods of play.
On Saturday night, they had a chance to expel the demons of 2014. Not only were they back in a Champions League final, but they were once again facing crosstown rivals Real Madrid.
Once again, the game went to extra time after a 1-1 draw, but this time neither side could break the deadlock.
For anyone watching at home, it seemed going into the penalty shootout that the momentum of the fixture was with Atletico. They had been the better team for the majority of the game and all the Real players looked out on their feet.
But momentum is a funny thing, and it can turn on you without reason. The Real players were tired, but they could still kick a dead ball like nobody’s business.
Despite an inaccurate game for both teams, the penalty shootout was anything but. In the end, it was decided by one penalty, as Juanfran missed the only spot kick of the shootout (although Antoine Griezmann had already missed from 12 yards early in the second half).
He struck it well, but the fullback’s effort rebounded off the post and set the scene for Cristiano Ronaldo to kill the game as Real won 5-3 on penalties.
As Los Blancos celebrated in front of their fans, a devastated Juanfran simply made the long walk to the other end of the pitch to ask the travelling Atletico crowd for their forgiveness. And true to their name, the supporters rose to their feet to give the Spaniard a standing ovation.
juanfran approaches the atletico fans to beg forgiveness. the whole stand rises to applaud him pic.twitter.com/iCsQ4Iq8mv
— Ken Early (@kenearlys) May 28, 2016
