Arsenal produced a memorable European display to eliminate reigning champions Real Madrid, sealing a stunning 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu and a commanding 5-1 aggregate triumph to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.
A performance defined by composure, character, and clinical finishing ensured the Gunners crushed any hopes of a trademark Real Madrid comeback. Bukayo Saka, undeterred by an earlier missed Panenka penalty, gave Arsenal the lead in the second half with a brilliant chipped finish over Thibaut Courtois — silencing the Bernabéu and underlining his status as the team’s talisman.
Madrid were briefly handed a lifeline when Vinicius Jr capitalised on a rare William Saliba mistake to level the match on the night, sparking belief among the home fans of another famous ‘remontada.’ However, Arsenal’s calmness prevailed, and Gabriel Martinelli put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, slotting home a ruthless counter-attack to secure the win.
A Statement Performance at the Bernabéu
From the opening whistle, Mikel Arteta’s side looked unfazed by the occasion, delivering a mature and tactically disciplined performance that frustrated a Madrid side renowned for dramatic Champions League turnarounds. Arsenal’s defensive organisation — led by Saliba and Jakub Kiwior — was near faultless, while Declan Rice’s dominance in midfield earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Saka and Martinelli were a constant threat on the flanks, outshining Real Madrid’s star-studded attack. Though Saka’s missed penalty in the first half momentarily handed the hosts hope, his response spoke volumes about his resilience and quality.
Madrid did have a moment of controversy when they were initially awarded a penalty after Kylian Mbappé went to ground under a challenge from Rice, but VAR intervened and the decision was overturned.
Martinelli Seals It Late
As the clock ticked into injury time, Madrid’s push for a winner left them exposed, and Arsenal capitalised in ruthless fashion. Goalkeeper David Raya initiated a lightning-fast counter, which culminated with Martinelli calmly rolling the ball past Courtois to seal a famous win on Spanish soil.
Arsenal’s European Ambitions Alive
This triumph marks one of Arsenal’s greatest nights in European football, sending them into the last four of the Champions League for only the third time in their history — and the first since 2009. It also showcased the maturity of a side that has grown under Arteta’s guidance, proving they can now mix it with Europe’s elite.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described the night as one of the proudest moments of his footballing career, praising his side’s belief and ability to handle the pressure in a stadium where so many others have fallen.
Declan Rice echoed that sentiment, highlighting the squad’s mindset and collective effort, while also looking ahead to the semi-final clash against PSG.
A Night Real Madrid Will Want to Forget
For Carlo Ancelotti’s side, it was an evening of frustration. The 15-time European champions, so often the masters of miraculous comebacks, found themselves stifled by an Arsenal side who barely gave them a clear sight of goal. Ancelotti admitted post-match that Arsenal had simply been the better team over the two legs, and accepted that their European reign had been ended by a side playing at the top of their game.
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