In a stunning display at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal overwhelmed Real Madrid with a decisive 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 8, 2025. The Gunners showcased their attacking prowess, with Declan Rice netting two spectacular free-kicks and Mikel Merino adding a third goal, leaving Los Blancos with a monumental challenge ahead in the second leg.
After the match, Jude Bellingham, the England midfielder for Real Madrid, expressed his disbelief at the scoreline, admitting, "We were lucky to get away with three." Bellingham's candid assessment highlighted the disparity in performance between the two teams, as Arsenal dominated much of the game.
The match started with Arsenal quickly asserting their dominance, and it wasn’t long before Rice delivered an exceptional free-kick that curled into the top left corner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Just twelve minutes later, the midfielder found the net again with another stunning free-kick, marking the first time in his professional career that he scored from direct free-kicks. "I’m speechless," Rice admitted post-match, reflecting on his remarkable achievement.
Following Rice's brace, Merino capped off a stellar performance by scoring the third goal, further solidifying Arsenal's lead. The Gunners were relentless in their pursuit of goals, with their defense effectively neutralizing threats from Real Madrid's star players, including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
Bellingham, who partnered with Rice in the England squad, found himself struggling to impact the game as Arsenal's midfield and defense executed their game plan flawlessly. He was left visibly dejected as he watched his teammate score two brilliant goals, staring into the sky in disbelief.
Despite the heavy defeat, Bellingham remained optimistic about Real Madrid's chances in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 16. "There’s 90 more minutes at home to pull something out the bag," he said, emphasizing the team's resilience and the potential for a dramatic comeback. "If there’s one place where crazy things can happen, it’s at our house."
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was equally disappointed with his team’s performance, particularly in the latter stages of the match. "It’s difficult to explain. We tried to make individual plays and got a bit lost on the pitch," he remarked. Ancelotti acknowledged that the two early goals from Arsenal had a profound psychological impact on his players, leading to a lack of reaction and control in the final thirty minutes.
Historically, Real Madrid has a reputation for spectacular comebacks, with the club having previously overturned significant deficits in the Champions League. However, they have never recovered from a three-goal first-leg deficit in knockout rounds. This statistic looms large over the upcoming second leg, adding pressure on the defending champions.
As pundits and fans alike weigh in on the match, many are hesitant to count out Real Madrid entirely. Former England winger Andros Townsend cautioned Arsenal supporters to "never write off Real Madrid," while ex-Arsenal defender Matthew Upson noted that the Spanish giants have faced dire situations before and found solutions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, while proud of his team's performance, is wary of the challenge that awaits them in Madrid. "We are going to have to be even better in Madrid to go through," he stated, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of football and the potential for a shift in momentum.
The upcoming second leg promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Real Madrid needing to muster an extraordinary performance to keep their Champions League campaign alive. With Bellingham rallying his teammates and the Bernabeu crowd ready to support their team, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown.
As the dust settles on this first leg, Arsenal will undoubtedly be buoyed by their performance, but the history and tenacity of Real Madrid means that nothing is certain. The football world will be watching closely as these two giants of the game prepare for what could be a historic clash in the second leg.
