Arsenal Knocks Real Madrid Out of the Champions League and Moves on to the Semi-finals
Arsenal has made it to the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in the club’s history, winning 2-1 against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu and 5-1 on aggregate.
After a 3-0 victory in the first leg, Arsenal extended their lead in the 65th minute with a superb chipped goal from Bukayo Saka. Real Madrid responded just two minutes later when Vinicius Junior capitalized on a mistake by William Saliba. However, Gabriel Martinelli scored in stoppage time to secure Arsenal’s victory.
The first half was action-packed, with Saka’s Panenka penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois, while VAR intervened to deny Real Madrid a penalty.
Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, with Barcelona and Inter meeting in the other match.
The 2024-25 Champions League final is set to take place at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31. This stadium has hosted many significant events since it opened in 2005, including the 2012 Champions League final.
After this thrilling win, Arsenal will turn their attention to a Premier League match against Ipswich Town on Sunday. However, with little at stake in the league, their main focus will remain on the Champions League.
Real Madrid still has a chance to win the domestic title but is four points behind Barcelona with seven games left. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will host Athletic Club on Sunday, needing a win to stay in the title race.
Despite their attacking talent, Real Madrid struggled against Arsenal, often sending inaccurate crosses into the box. Arsenal’s defense was strong, maintaining their shape and effectively handling Madrid’s attempts.
Before this quarter-final, Arsenal was one of the best defensive teams in the Champions League, conceding only 0.6 goals per game. Their organized defense at the Bernabeu showcased their strength.
Arsenal’s players, especially Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior, performed well defensively. However, Saliba’s mistake leading to Madrid’s goal serves as a reminder to stay focused as they prepare for the semi-finals.
A potential turning point came when a penalty was awarded to Madrid after Declan Rice tussled with Kylian Mbappe. Rice received a yellow card, but VAR later overturned both the penalty and the caution. His importance to Arsenal cannot be overstated, as he dominated the midfield throughout the tie.
This victory against the defending champions shows how far Arsenal has come under manager Mikel Arteta since he took over in December 2019. Saka and Martinelli, once young talents, played pivotal roles in this win as reported by NewYorkTimes.
Arsenal’s journey continues, and this victory marks a significant milestone in Arteta’s tenure. UEFA has announced a total prize pot of €2.47 billion for clubs competing in the Champions League, with the remaining teams already earning substantial sums on their way to the semi-finals.
