April 16, 2025 | Madrid, Spain
Arsenal emphatically booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semifinals for the first time in 16 years, eliminating defending champions Real Madrid with a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory.
Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner to seal a 2-1 second-leg triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu, capping a clinical and composed display that silenced any talk of a Real Madrid comeback.
Arsenal’s Maturity Delivers Arteta’s Finest Night
Manager Mikel Arteta hailed the result as one of the greatest achievements of his tenure, with Arsenal balancing defensive resilience and attacking bravery over both legs.
Arsenal absorbed Real Madrid’s pressure, defended stoically, and struck decisively when chances arose. Despite missing a recognized center forward and key center-back Gabriel Magalhães, they managed to hold firm against one of Europe’s most dangerous attacks.
With this result, Arsenal will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, although they will be without Thomas Partey for the first leg due to suspension.
Match Highlights
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First Leg: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
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Second Leg: Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid
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Aggregate Score: Arsenal 5-1 Real Madrid
Goalscorers:
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Bukayo Saka (65’)
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Vinícius Júnior (67’)
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Gabriel Martinelli (90+3’)
Saka redeemed himself after missing a penalty early in the match, while Martinelli’s counterattack goal put the final seal on a historic night for the Gunners.
Real Madrid’s Comeback Never Materializes
Despite the prematch belief in a possible “remontada,” Real Madrid struggled to create clear-cut chances. Kylian Mbappé failed to register a shot on target, and Real’s midfield lacked the creativity needed to break down Arsenal’s compact structure.
Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a rare mistake from William Saliba to briefly raise hopes, but Madrid never built any sustained momentum. Mbappé’s late injury compounded a miserable night for Los Blancos.
Key Talking Points
Saka Overcomes Early Penalty Miss
Bukayo Saka demonstrated resilience once again after seeing his Panenka-style penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois. Instead of fading, he composed himself and scored the opener, continuing his rise among Europe’s elite young talents.
Rice Dominates Midfield Battle
Declan Rice proved his value once more, dominating the midfield battle against Jude Bellingham. His leadership and composure were vital, especially after Partey’s late yellow card suspension, which now places even greater responsibility on Rice for the semifinals.
Ancelotti’s Defensive Gamble Backfires
Carlo Ancelotti’s surprising selections at full-back — Lucas Vázquez and David Alaba — struggled to cope with Arsenal’s wide threats. Neither substitution nor tactical adjustments managed to stem the flow, exposing Madrid’s need for a defensive rebuild this summer.
Real Madrid’s Focus Shifts to Domestic Silverware
With their Champions League campaign over, Real Madrid must regroup quickly. They remain in the La Liga title race, trailing Barcelona by four points with a Clásico looming. They will also face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on April 26.
However, this defeat leaves a heavy mark on a season that once held ambitions of European glory.
