Holders Real Madrid are in grave danger of failing to make the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in five years, after Declan Rice’s free-kick heroics inspired Arsenal to a comprehensive first-leg win. What’s the score after the first leg? Los Blancos trail 3-0 after Tuesday’s quarter-final opener, having conceded two stunning set-piece strikes by the England midfielder. Per the soccer stats specialists Opta, Rice is the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout-stage game. Mikel Merino netted Arsenal’s third goal at the Emirates Stadium, sweeping a low shot into the net from Miles Lewis-Skelly’s 75th-minute layoff.
Real Madrid have failed to score in consecutive Champions League games for the first time since February-March 2009 in the last-16 tie against Liverpool with Juande Ramos as manager. Strange. When is Real Madrid and Arsenal’s UCL second leg? In the second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League quarter-finals, Real Madrid host Arsenal at the Estadio Bernabéu on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Kick-off in the Spanish capital is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT.
How can I watch Real Madrid vs Arsenal in the U.S.? Viewers in the U.S. will be able to watch the game on Paramount+, TUDN USA, Univisión and ViX. You can stream TUDN and Univisión on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free introductory trial. Who will the winners face in the UCL semi-finals? Real Madrid or Arsenal will take on the winners of the quarter-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. PSG and Villa meet in the last-eight first leg on Wednesday, April 9, before facing off in the return leg on Tuesday, April 15. If Arsenal complete the job at the Bernabéu, this season’s Champions League last four will be the first without Madrid since the 2019/20 season, when the 15-time European champions were beaten by Manchester City in the round of 16.
What’s more, victory for Arsenal would bring the Gunners their first appearance in the Champions League semi-finals since 2009. Before hosting Arsenal next week, Madrid face a LaLiga trip to the Basque Country, where Carlo Ancelotti’s men take on Alavés on Sunday (10:15 a.m. ET/7:15 a.m. PT). Los Merengues currently sit second in the Spanish league, four points behind leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, Arsenal host Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday (12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT). Mikel Arteta’s men are also in second, but must make up a larger gap - 11 points - on the league’s top team, Liverpool.
In another thrilling quarter-final match, Barcelona made a statement with a dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Wednesday. Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Lamine Yamal were the stars of the night, with Lewandowski scoring twice against his former club. The Polish striker has now netted 29 goals in 28 matches against Dortmund, showcasing his incredible record against the team that gave him his big break in European football.
Barcelona looked purposeful from the start, peppering the Dortmund goal with shots, managing more attempts (four) in the first 10 minutes than they had in any prior UCL game this season. Raphinha opened the scoring in the 25th minute, tapping in a deflected effort from Pau Cubarsí. The Catalans were relentless, and Lewandowski doubled their lead shortly after halftime, becoming the first player in Champions League history to net 10 or more goals in a single campaign for three different clubs.
Lewandowski then scored again just past the hour mark, sweeping home a pullback from Fermín López to effectively kill off any hopes of a Dortmund comeback. But Barcelona wasn’t finished yet. Raphinha provided an assist for Lamine Yamal, who prodded home to cap off the scoring. With this performance, Raphinha equaled Lionel Messi’s Barcelona record for most goal involvements (19) in a single Champions League campaign, a testament to his stellar form this season.
Dortmund, meanwhile, suffered their joint-heaviest ever defeat in a European Cup/UEFA Champions League match, a stark contrast to their expectations heading into the knockout stage. Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, celebrated his 25th Champions League win in just his 29th match in charge, the quickest any manager has reached that milestone in the competition.
As the dust settles on these quarter-final clashes, Barcelona's chances of reaching the semi-finals are rated at 99.5% by the Opta Supercomputer, making them favorites to advance alongside Arsenal. The second legs of these ties promise to be thrilling encounters as both Arsenal and Barcelona look to solidify their places in the last four of Europe’s premier club competition.
As the Champions League progresses, fans are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the outcome of these pivotal matches. Will Real Madrid find a way to turn the tide against Arsenal, or will the Gunners secure their place in the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade? And can Barcelona maintain their dominance against Dortmund in the return leg? The excitement is palpable as the tournament heads into its crucial stages.
