In a disappointing turn of events for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe was forced off the pitch due to injury during their UEFA Champions League match against Arsenal on April 16, 2025. The match, held at the Santiago Bernabeu, ended in a 2-1 defeat for the Spanish giants, resulting in a 5-1 aggregate loss that saw them exit the competition.
Mbappe's injury occurred in the 75th minute when he lunged in for a tackle against Arsenal's Declan Rice. Unfortunately for Madrid, Mbappe rolled his ankle during the collision, which led to an Arsenal free-kick. Despite the injury, Rice emerged unscathed from the incident.
This injury comes just days after Mbappe received a red card for a reckless challenge during a LaLiga match against Deportivo Alaves on April 13, 2025. Initially shown a yellow card, the referee upgraded the penalty to a dismissal after reviewing the tackle on Antonio Blanco from multiple angles. The LaLiga Competition Committee subsequently handed Mbappe a one-match suspension, which means he will still be available for Madrid's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, 2025.
Real Madrid's Champions League campaign has been marked by disappointment. After promising a potential comeback following their 3-0 defeat in the first leg, the team was unable to deliver against the Gunners. Arsenal's lead was built on two free-kick goals from Declan Rice and a third from Mikel Merino in the first leg, leaving Madrid with a mountain to climb.
As the match unfolded, Thibaut Courtois played a crucial role for Madrid, saving a poorly hit penalty from Bukayo Saka after VAR ruled that Raul Asencio had fouled Mikel Merino in the box. However, Madrid's hopes were briefly dashed when a penalty awarded for a foul on Mbappe was overturned after a lengthy VAR review.
In the second half, Arsenal took the lead with a well-executed team goal finished by Saka, who lifted the ball over Courtois. Just as it seemed like the tie was slipping away, Vinicius Jr. capitalized on a mistake from Arsenal defender William Saliba to level the score on the night, giving Madrid a glimmer of hope.
However, the momentum quickly faded as Arsenal tightened their defense. Gabriel Martinelli then struck in stoppage time, sprinting through on goal and slotting the ball into the bottom corner, sealing the victory for Arsenal and confirming Madrid's exit from the tournament.
With Arsenal moving on to the semi-finals, they are set to face Paris Saint-Germain, who narrowly defeated Aston Villa in their quarter-final matchup. The first leg of this exciting semi-final is scheduled for April 29, 2025.
The defeat has left Real Madrid fans questioning the team's performance, particularly in high-stakes matches like these. The absence of Mbappe, a key player for the squad, adds to the woes as they prepare for the Copa del Rey final against their fierce rivals, Barcelona.
As the dust settles on this disappointing Champions League exit, all eyes will be on how Madrid responds in the upcoming weeks. Will they be able to rally together and find success in the domestic cup, or will this defeat linger in their minds and affect their performance moving forward?
In the wake of this tumultuous match, Carlo Ancelotti will undoubtedly have to reassess his tactics and player selections. The pressure is mounting, and the stakes are higher than ever as Madrid seeks to reclaim their status as one of Europe's elite clubs.
With the Copa del Rey final looming, fans will be hoping that the team can bounce back and deliver a performance worthy of their storied history. The challenge will be immense, but with the right mindset and strategy, Real Madrid may yet find redemption.
