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Arsenal FC produced one of the best performance of the Mikel Arteta's era to book a first UCL semifinal in 16 years after doing the double over reigning champions Real Madrid.
It was a humbling night for Los Blancos at their own backyard, the Bernabeu where Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 on the night, to advance 5-1 on aggregate.
There was nothing to separate both sides in the first-half after Bukayo Saka missed a 13th-minute spot-kick and Real Madrid also had a penalty decision overturned after a lengthy VAR check.
However, the game sprung to life when Saka converted when he was put through on goal by Merino. A few minutes later, Real Madrid were level, when the ever-reliable Saliba had his pocket picked by Vinicius and the Brazilian finished into an empty.
There was enough time for more drama when Martinelli raced clear to seal qualification in the third minute of added time and send the Gunners to a first semi-final in almost two decades.
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: Rice unleashes magic at the Emirates
In the first leg, an outstanding and discipline Arsenal side put three unreplied goals past Carlo Ancelotti's team.
Going into the encounter, Arsenal hadn't lost any game in 7 matches while Real Madrid had failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 8 games; losing 1-2 at home to Valencia in La Liga in the fixture prior.
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However, after a goalless first half, it took two world-class second-half free kicks from £100m man Declan Rice to put Arsenal in firm control of the tie before makeshift striker Mikel Merino added a third to hand the Gunners a huge advantage going into the second leg next Wednesday.
Arsenal could have scored more goals, as admitted by Jude Bellingham that his team were lucky to escape with a three-goal deficit. A string of strong saves by the returning Courtois helped in making the scoreline a little respectful and Madrid will have to be near perfect to stand any chance against the Gunners in the second leg.
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22:14 - 16.04.2025
No Remontada as Martinelli's late winner silence the close roof Santiago Bernabéu
Arsenal qualify for the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu
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23:12 - 08.04.2025
We should have conceded more — Real Madrid's Bellingham admits to Arsenal's superiority
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham assessed their performance against Arsenal candidly.
Arsenal shock Real Madrid in emphatic fashion
Not many Arsenal fans would have expected the sort of dominance Mikel Arteta's team showcased against the bogey team of the Champions League Real Madrid both at the Emirates and at the Bernabeu, but this outstanding performance would have left many fans, even neutrals stunned.
Over two legs, the most successful manager in the Champions League Carlo Ancelotti had no answer to the rampant and well-drilled Arsenal team who oozed such great quality and confidence throughout the pitch.
The Gunners didn't look like they were missing a key defender like Gabriel. In the Brazilian's place, Kiwior put in an excellent shift partnering with the reliable Saliba to keep Madrid quiet in both games. The only blemish was Saliba's slip up that allowed Vinicius score Los Blancos' lone goal in the tie.
Arsenal's record in the Champions League
Since losing the 2005/2006 Champions League final to Barcelona in controversial fashion, the Gunners have only played in the semi-finals once in the 2008/2009 season, when they lost 1-4 to Manchester United on aggregate.
Mikel Arteta’s has been building this Arsenal team and on two occasions they have come close to clinching the Premier League trophy, only to run out of steam in critical moments and lose out to Manchester City; it looks like they would finish runners-up for a third consecutive season this year but this time to Liverpool.
However, they have put themselves in a very good position having progressed to the semifinals of the Champions League. The Gunners will face PSG in the last four for a shot at glory – in a competition they have never won. Can they do it? You wouldn’t want to bet against Arsenal as they are full of surprises.
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