Real Madrid are set for a monumental challenge as they host Arsenal for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. After suffering a stunning 3-0 defeat in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium, the Spanish giants find themselves in a precarious position, needing to overturn a three-goal deficit to keep their hopes of a treble alive.
The first leg saw Arsenal's Declan Rice make headlines by scoring two remarkable free kicks, marking his first goals from set pieces in his 405 senior professional appearances. The Gunners took a commanding lead early on, with Rice's brace putting them firmly in control. Mikel Merino added to the scoreline in the 75th minute, sealing the emphatic victory for Arsenal and leaving Real Madrid with a mountain to climb.
Kickoff for the highly anticipated second leg is scheduled for 9 p.m. CEST local time in Spain, which translates to 8 p.m. BST in the UK, 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 5 a.m. AEST on Thursday morning in Australia. Fans worldwide are eager to see if Real Madrid can channel their storied European pedigree to pull off one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
Historically, facing Real Madrid at the Bernabéu is no easy feat, particularly given their reputation for dramatic recoveries. Earlier this season, they pulled off a stunning 5-2 victory over Borussia Dortmund after trailing 0-2 at halftime, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. However, this season has been challenging for Los Blancos, who have secured only six wins in their 11 Champions League matches, suffering two losses in the knockout stage against Atlético Madrid and Arsenal.
Despite the uphill battle, Real Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has a remarkable record in the Champions League. He has achieved 19 victories by three or more goals in 76 matches with the club, underscoring the potential for a comeback. The stakes are high, as a semifinal clash against either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan awaits the winner of this tie.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have been in outstanding form this season, winning eight of their 11 Champions League matches, including a record-breaking 7-1 away victory against PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16. Currently sitting second in the Premier League, the Gunners are looking to capitalize on their momentum and secure a place in the semifinals.
For those looking to catch the action live, there are several options available for streaming the match. In the US, American soccer fans can watch the match on Paramount Plus, which holds exclusive English-language broadcast rights for the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, viewers in the UK can tune in to TNT Sports, which will broadcast the match live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 1 HD channels.
In Canada, DAZN Canada has exclusive rights to stream the Champions League matches, making it the go-to platform for Canadian fans. Football enthusiasts in Australia can catch the action on Stan Sport, which also holds exclusive rights to show the Champions League live.
As the match approaches, fans traveling abroad may want to consider using a VPN to access their favorite streaming services. A VPN not only encrypts traffic, enhancing privacy and security, but also helps prevent internet service providers from throttling speeds. However, it's essential to check the terms of service for any streaming platform, as some may restrict VPN usage for accessing region-specific content.
For those using a VPN, it's advisable to follow the provider's installation instructions carefully and ensure that they are connected securely. Additionally, using a privacy-first browser like Brave when logging into streaming services can further protect user data while accessing matches online.
As the anticipation builds for this thrilling encounter, all eyes will be on the Santiago Bernabéu as Real Madrid looks to defy the odds and secure their place in the next round of the Champions League. Will they rise to the occasion and pull off a historic comeback against a formidable Arsenal side? Only time will tell as the match unfolds.
