In a thrilling conclusion to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal and Inter Milan secured their places in the semi-finals, joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Barcelona as the final four contenders for the prestigious title. On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Arsenal triumphed over Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory in the second leg of their quarter-final, advancing with a 5-1 aggregate score. Meanwhile, Inter Milan held off a determined Bayern Munich, drawing 2-2 at home, which allowed them to progress with a 4-3 aggregate score.
The stage is now set for an exciting semi-final lineup, featuring Arsenal facing PSG, while Barcelona will go head-to-head with Inter Milan. The first leg matches are scheduled for April 29 and 30, 2025, with the return legs taking place on May 6 and 7, 2025. The final is set for May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Arsenal's journey to the semi-finals has been impressive, especially after their commanding performance against the reigning champions, Real Madrid. The Gunners had previously secured a 3-0 victory in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, setting the stage for their decisive second leg in Madrid. Despite a tense atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu, Arsenal managed to maintain control of the match. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 65th minute, redeeming himself after missing a penalty earlier in the match. Vinicius Júnior equalized for Real Madrid just three minutes later, but Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win for Arsenal with a dramatic goal in stoppage time, sending the London club into the last four for the first time since 2009.
“We showed great character and resilience,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after the match. “To come to a place like this and perform the way we did is a testament to the hard work and belief in this team.” The victory not only marks a significant achievement for Arsenal but also sets up a highly anticipated clash with PSG, who have been a dominant force in European football.
PSG reached the semi-finals despite a nail-biting encounter against Aston Villa. After winning the first leg 3-1 at home, they faced a challenging return match at Villa Park, where they lost 3-2. However, their aggregate score of 5-4 was enough to see them through. “We knew it was going to be difficult, but we held on,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique. “Now we have a tough challenge ahead against Arsenal.”
On the other side of the draw, FC Barcelona continued their impressive run by eliminating Borussia Dortmund with a 5-3 aggregate score. After a commanding 4-0 win in the first leg, they faced a tough test in the return match, losing 3-1 at the Westfalenstadion but advancing comfortably. “We did what we needed to do to qualify,” commented Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez. “Now, we’re looking forward to facing Inter Milan, a team with a lot of quality.”
Inter Milan’s path to the semi-finals was no less dramatic. They faced Bayern Munich in a closely contested tie, drawing 2-2 in the second leg after winning the first leg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena. Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard scored for Inter, while Harry Kane and Eric Dier found the net for Bayern. “It was a tough match, but we showed our strength,” said Inter manager Simone Inzaghi. “Barcelona will be a formidable opponent, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
The semi-final matchups are set to ignite excitement among fans, with Arsenal taking on PSG in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The first leg will be held at the Emirates Stadium on April 29, followed by the return leg at Parc des Princes on May 7. Both teams have shown their attacking prowess throughout the tournament, and this clash is expected to be nothing short of spectacular.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will host Inter Milan in the other semi-final, with the first leg taking place at Camp Nou on April 30, and the return leg at Giuseppe Meazza on May 6. This matchup brings back memories of their epic encounters in the past, particularly the memorable semi-final in 2010 when both teams were led by legendary coaches Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho.
As the Champions League reaches its climax, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Each team is vying for a chance to lift the coveted trophy on May 31, with Arsenal and PSG looking to make their mark in the competition. Arsenal’s last triumph in the Champions League came in 2006, while PSG continues to chase their first title despite being perennial contenders.
With the semi-finals just around the corner, fans are eagerly anticipating the action. Will Arsenal continue their impressive run and overcome the challenge posed by PSG? Can Barcelona reclaim their glory against a resilient Inter Milan? Only time will tell as the drama unfolds in Europe’s premier club competition.
