England forward Bukayo Saka missed a penalty but later scored a sublime goal as Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals. Despite the early miss, the Gunners remained composed and extended their aggregate lead in style.
Having secured a dominant 3-0 win in the first leg, Arsenal entered the Santiago Bernabeu with confidence and intent. Although Saka failed to convert an early penalty, he redeemed himself later with a delightful chipped finish over Thibaut Courtois.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s hopes briefly flickered when Vinicius Jr capitalised on William Saliba’s costly mistake. Yet, Arsenal stayed in control and sealed the win late on. Gabriel Martinelli finished off a swift counterattack in stoppage time, again assisted by Mikel Merino.
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Although Madrid were handed a lifeline when the referee pointed to the spot, VAR intervened. It ruled that Declan Rice made minimal contact with Kylian Mbappe, and the penalty was reversed.
Notably, Arsenal’s defensive discipline and mental focus under pressure were commendable. Even with the hostile crowd, they managed the game expertly and avoided unnecessary risks or lapses.
This historic triumph is just the third time Arsenal have reached the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition. Their reward is a clash with an in-form Paris Saint-Germain side. Although Arsenal defeated PSG 2-0 earlier this season, the French champions have significantly improved since.
Arteta’s tactical brilliance shone once again, especially in the absence of a traditional striker. The team scored five goals across both legs and showcased incredible depth and creativity. Their composure and resilience were reminiscent of seasoned European contenders.
Although “la remontada” was on Madrid lips before kickoff, Arsenal silenced that narrative with maturity and class. Los Blancos had previously pulled off stunning comebacks before now, but this time, they were simply outplayed.
With La Liga slipping out of reach, Carlo Ancelotti must now shift focus. His side trails Barcelona by four points and needs a strong finish.
Nonetheless, the night belonged to Arsenal – who, with discipline, flair, and purpose, delivered a statement performance that echoed across Europe.
Tags: Los Blancos, Real Madrid, #UCL, #ChampionsLeague, Arsenal, #RMAARS, #HalaMadrid, #COYG, Mikel Merino, Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Vinicius Jr, remontada, Thibaut Courtois.
