In a thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Arsenal emerged victorious against Real Madrid, securing a 2-1 win in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on April 17, 2025. This triumph allowed Arsenal to advance with an impressive aggregate score of 5-1, marking their first appearance in the Champions League semi-finals in 16 years.
The match began with both teams eager to establish dominance, but it was Arsenal who had the first real opportunity to take the lead. Just 13 minutes into the game, Arsenal was awarded a penalty after a foul by Real Madrid's Marco Asensio on Martin Ødegaard. However, Bukayo Saka's attempt was saved by Thibaut Courtois, who made a crucial stop, equaling Iker Casillas' record for the most penalty saves in Champions League history.
Despite the missed chance, Arsenal maintained their composure and continued to press forward. The first half ended in a stalemate, with both teams unable to find the back of the net, leaving the score at 0-0.
As the second half unfolded, Arsenal's persistence paid off. In the 65th minute, Saka redeemed himself by scoring the opening goal. After receiving a well-placed pass from Mikel Merino, Saka executed a delicate chip over Courtois, putting Arsenal ahead 1-0 and extending their aggregate lead to 4-0.
However, Real Madrid responded quickly. Just two minutes later, Vinicius Jr. capitalized on a defensive error from William Saliba, seizing the opportunity to slot the ball into the empty net, leveling the score at 1-1. This goal rejuvenated Real Madrid, who had been desperate to claw back into the contest.
With the match intensifying, both teams exchanged chances, but it was Arsenal who struck the final blow. In stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli launched a counter-attack and found himself one-on-one with Courtois. He calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, sealing the victory for Arsenal at 2-1.
Post-match, Declan Rice expressed his pride in the team's performance, stating, "I think this is a very special night for the club, a historic night. Before the match, many people said they would come back, but we built strong belief and faith from the first leg. We showed that we could come here and win the game." Rice had previously contributed significantly to the team's success, scoring two stunning free-kicks in the first leg's 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, praised his team's resilience and determination. "We have to keep going because I believe we are on a good momentum. Our job is to make the fans happy and proud of these players and the team. Now, we need to continue and aim for more!" Arteta humorously remarked about Saka's penalty miss, saying, "I didn’t want to die, but I might have wanted to slap him at that moment. He made that decision and showed courage. I was more concerned about the emotional impact it would have on us."
After the match, Saka downplayed his earlier penalty miss, focusing instead on the joy of the historic win. "These things happen; I tried something and it didn’t work. I believed I would score tonight. Every moment is a learning experience, but tonight I just wanted to enjoy the victory. I’ll review that penalty later," he said.
With this victory, Arsenal not only eliminated the reigning Champions League holders but also became the eighth team in history to knock Real Madrid out in a two-legged knockout tie. They now look forward to facing Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, a team with whom they have a historical record of 2 wins, 3 draws, and no losses in their previous encounters.
As for Real Madrid, this defeat marks a significant blow to their aspirations of retaining the Champions League title. The team had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament but ultimately fell short against a determined Arsenal side. The loss also highlighted the challenges they faced, particularly in overcoming a substantial deficit from the first leg.
In other Champions League news, Inter Milan also advanced to the semi-finals after drawing 2-2 with Bayern Munich, securing a 4-3 aggregate victory. The semi-final matchups are now set, with Arsenal set to clash with PSG and Inter Milan taking on Barcelona. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect thrilling encounters and high stakes as teams vie for a place in the final.
As Arsenal celebrates this monumental achievement, the football world watches eagerly to see how far they can go in this year’s Champions League. With a blend of youth and experience, they have shown they can compete at the highest level. The upcoming semi-final against PSG promises to be an exciting showdown, as both teams aim for glory in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
