Real Madrid suffered one of their most shocking defeats in recent UEFA Champions League history on Tuesday, falling 3-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The dismal performance left fans wondering: when was the last time the Spanish giants were eliminated in the quarterfinals of Europe’s premier competition? Following a disappointing 2-1 loss to Valencia over the weekend, Real Madrid traveled to London looking to bounce back and secure a positive result ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, the Gunners dominated from start to finish, handing Los Blancos one of their worst defeats in the competition’s history.
After a first half in which Thibaut Courtois kept Real Madrid afloat with several key saves, the floodgates opened in the second half. Declan Rice stunned the visitors with two sensational free-kick goals, and Mikel Merino capped off the 3-0 scoreline with a well-timed finish. When was the last time Real Madrid were knocked out in the Champions League quarterfinals? You have to go back to the 2003-04 season to find the last time Real Madrid were eliminated in a two-legged Champions League quarterfinal. That year, a Galacticos-led side was knocked out by AS Monaco, who would go on to reach the final. Madrid won the first leg 4-2 at home and looked set to advance, but Monaco pulled off a stunning 3-1 comeback at the Stade Louis II. With the aggregate tied 5-5, Monaco advanced on away goals—under a rule that is now abolished.
That loss marked a turning point. Since then, Real Madrid have reached the quarterfinals 12 times and progressed in every single one. This season marks their fifth consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals—and now they’re at risk of seeing that impressive streak come to an end. The second leg is set for Wednesday, April 16, at the Santiago Bernabeu. Down 3-0 on aggregate, Real Madrid will need a historic performance to overturn the deficit and avoid a rare early exit from the tournament.
Arsenal’s impressive form in this season’s UEFA Champions League has been a highlight for the club, finishing third in the league stage with 19 points from a possible 24 while allowing just three goals. Despite Arsenal’s excellent European journey, Real Madrid has an impressive knockout stage history, having not suffered a first-leg defeat in any of their last eight UCL knockout rounds. They’ve also advanced from each of their last 12 quarter-final appearances in the Champions League.
Arsenal holds an unbeaten record in UEFA competitions against Real Madrid, although their last meeting took place nearly twenty years ago. The two clubs faced each other in the 2005-06 Champions League Round of 16, where Arsenal emerged victorious after two legs by an aggregate score of 1-0, stunning Madrid with a 1-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, marking the first time an English club achieved such a feat.
As for the match on Tuesday, Arsenal showed their determination from the outset. The first half was tightly contested, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert. However, it was Declan Rice who broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a world-class free kick that curled around the wall and past Courtois. Just 12 minutes later, Rice struck again, this time with an even better free-kick goal that left the Madrid defense reeling.
With Real Madrid struggling to respond, Mikel Merino added to their woes in the 73rd minute, scoring from close range to make it 3-0. The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was electric as Arsenal fans celebrated their team's dominance in a match that many will remember as one of their best performances in recent years.
In a dramatic turn of events, Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the final minute of stoppage time for a second yellow card, leaving Real Madrid to face the return leg without one of their key players. This suspension could prove costly as the team prepares for the daunting task of overturning a three-goal deficit at home.
The second leg, set for April 16, will be crucial for both teams. Arsenal will look to maintain their momentum and secure a place in the semi-finals, while Real Madrid will aim for a comeback that could go down in history. The stakes could not be higher as they prepare to clash once again at the Santiago Bernabeu.
As the Champions League quarter-finals unfold, the excitement continues to build. Arsenal’s victory over Real Madrid has set the stage for an intense second leg, with fans eagerly anticipating how this historic rivalry will play out. With both teams boasting rich histories in European competition, the return match promises to be a thrilling encounter.
For Arsenal, this win not only boosts their confidence but also serves as a reminder of their potential on the European stage. Having been knocked out by Bayern Munich last year in a close contest, the Gunners are eager to prove that they can compete with the best. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, the record holders of the Champions League, will need to dig deep to avoid an early exit from a tournament they have dominated for decades.
In conclusion, the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid has set the stage for a dramatic second encounter. With a 3-0 lead, Arsenal has placed themselves in a commanding position, but as history shows, Real Madrid is never to be underestimated. The football world will be watching closely as these two giants prepare to battle it out once more.
