In a thrilling and emotional clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009, defeating defending champions Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday. The victory marked a 5-1 aggregate win for the Gunners after their impressive 3-0 triumph in London last week, keeping their hopes alive for Europe’s most prestigious football trophy.
With VAR playing a key role in the match, Arsenal will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, while Inter Milan advanced after their victory over Bayern Munich. Inter will meet Barcelona in their quest for glory.
Real Madrid’s Hopes Dashed: No Historic Comeback This Time
Madrid fans were left in disbelief as their team fell short in their bid for a historic comeback. Known for their dramatic late goals and magical performances, there was no such moment for the 15-time European champions this time. Real Madrid’s hopes were extinguished, and for the first time since 2020, they failed to make it into the Champions League semifinals.
Arsenal was resolute from the start. Declan Rice, reflecting on the win, said: “There was a lot of talk coming here about (Real Madrid) coming back, because they’ve done it so many times before, but we had so much belief and confidence from that first game to come here and win. We had it in our minds and now we’ve done it in real life.”
The Crucial VAR Moments: Arsenal’s First Half Penalty Drama
The tension in Madrid heightened in the first half, especially when a penalty decision involving Kylian Mbappé was overturned by VAR. With the game tied at 0-0, the referee had initially pointed to the spot after a challenge on the French forward. However, after a five-minute review, the decision was reversed, leaving Real Madrid fans frustrated.
Arsenal had their own penalty drama early in the match when Bukayo Saka was awarded a spot-kick following a foul on Mikel Merino. However, Saka’s attempt was saved by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, keeping the scoreline unchanged. It was a rare miss for the Arsenal forward but one that wouldn’t derail his team’s confidence.
In the 65th minute, Arsenal took the lead. Merino, who had been involved in multiple key moments, played a brilliant pass to Saka, who made no mistake inside the area, firing past Courtois to put Arsenal ahead.
Real Madrid Strikes Back, But Arsenal Holds Firm
Madrid’s response came swiftly. Just two minutes later, Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a defensive error by Arsenal’s William Saliba, finding the back of the net to equalize. However, Arsenal was not to be denied. As the game moved into stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win with a precise finish after another assist from Merino, making it 2-1 on the night and ensuring Arsenal’s progression.
Mikel Arteta Reflects on a Special Victory
“This is one of the best nights in my football career, for sure,” said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta after the match. “It’s a really special one against a team that has been an inspiration for a lot of us in this competition. To win this tie in the manner that we have, we can be very proud.”
Arteta’s tactical brilliance, combined with the unshakable belief from his squad, saw them through a tough challenge. The victory over Real Madrid is a testament to their growth under Arteta’s leadership, and it further strengthens their claim as one of the top teams in Europe.
Injured Mbappé and Madrid’s Disappointing Night
Real Madrid’s struggles were compounded by an injury to Kylian Mbappé, who had a disappointing performance throughout the match. The star forward was replaced in the 75th minute by Brahim Díaz, and part of the Bernabeu crowd voiced their displeasure with boos as Mbappé made his exit.
“It’s a tough moment,” said Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez. “We tried but in the end we couldn’t achieve our goal. We’ll come back stronger. Madrid always does.”
For Madrid, it was another painful exit from the Champions League, a competition they have dominated in the past. Their dreams of a third title in four years were dashed, leaving fans to reflect on what could have been.
Carlo Ancelotti: A Grateful Madrid Coach Amidst Disappointment
Despite the defeat, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti remained positive, reflecting on the club’s achievements in recent years. “We have to hold our heads high because we did very well in this competition in recent years,” Ancelotti said. “This year we have to endure and suffer. In sport, this can happen because there are no invincible teams. I was clear with my players. We have to keep our heads up, we have to learn from it and fight for the next game.”
Ancelotti also addressed the future of his managerial tenure at Madrid. “Maybe the club will decide to make a change. It could be this year or next year, when my contract runs out,” he stated. “The day I finish here I can only do one thing and that is to thank this club. It could be tomorrow, in 10 days or in a year and the only thing I will do is thank the club.”
Arsenal’s Unbeaten Record Against Madrid Continues
Arsenal’s victory continued their unbeaten record against Real Madrid in their last four meetings, with this being their second victory in the Champions League knockout stages against Los Blancos. The Gunners had previously eliminated Madrid in 2005-06, a campaign that saw them reach the final, only to lose to Barcelona.
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