Arsenal reached the UEFA Champions League semis for the first time in 16 years, dominantly winning 2-1 over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, 5-1 on aggregates.
Mikel Arteta’s side traveled to Madrid with a three-goal lead courtesy of a dominant first leg. The Gunners withstood early pressure from Real, then had a situtation to extend their lead when VAR awarded a penalty, but Bukayo Saka’s meek effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid thought they had earned their own penalty not long after, and that was overturned on VAR review too, after Declan Rice’s challenge on Kylian Mbappé. Los Blancos were typically dominant in possession but rarely threatened David Raya’s goal before the break.
Arsenal delivered a crucial blow in the second half, Mikel Merino setting up Saka to lift a calm finish over Courtois in the 65th minute. Vinicius Junior pulled one back two minutes later after a William Saliba error, but Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal sealed a statement win for the Gunners.
Arsenal will next play Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, and Barcelona face Inter the other tie as the 2024/25 Champions League draws to an exciting conclusion.
