We should have stopped — Courtois destroys Real Madrid after shameful defeat to Arsenal

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois slammed their strategy against Arsenal, saying they played poorly and failed to switch their method after it was clearly failing. 

Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal on the night, with goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and 5-1 on aggregate, effectively putting paid to their ambition for a 16th Champions League title. 

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Arsenal started strongly against Real Madrid, withstanding early pressure and being awarded a penalty after VAR ruled in their favour. However, Thibaut Courtois denied Bukayo Saka's penalty attempt, keeping the score goalless.

In the second half, Real Madrid intensified their attack, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinícius Junior testing Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. However, it was Arsenal who scored the decisive goal in the 65th minute, with Bukayo Saka finishing a well-worked team move with a delicate shot over Courtois.

Arsenal sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal from Gabriel Martinelli, following a defensive error by Gabriel Saliba, which helped Vinicius pull one back for Los Blancos. 

After the match, the Belgian admitted that they played poorly and questioned their strategy in the match. 

"We have great individual quality, but we need to play more as a team, attack as a team and defend as a team,” Courtois said. 

“This isn't the time to point fingers at anyone. Each one needs to take a look at himself and be self-critical.”

"We put in many crosses, but this year we don't have a pure striker like Joselu, a guy that can win those kind of duels.”