VAR awarded Atalanta a winning penalty in the final seconds of their Champions League clash against Dortmund after a bloody foul on substitute Nikola Krstovic. The decision came after a red card for Dortmund defender Remy Bensabaini and a VAR review of the incident. Lazar Samardzic converted the spot kick in the eighth minute of stoppage time to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory, propelling Atalanta into the last 16 for the first time since 2020-21. The dramatic finish ensured Serie A's return to the knockout stage after Napoli's playoff exit and Inter Milan's defeat by Bodø/Glimt. 'It's an unforgettable night,' Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino stated, celebrating the Bergamo side's comeback from a 2-0 first-leg deficit.

Dortmund, the 2024 runner-up, failed to convert a two-goal lead for the first time in European history. Atalanta will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the next round, while Dortmund's exit marks the end of their Champions League campaign. The incident highlights VAR's decisive role in high-stakes matches and the unpredictable nature of knockout football.