It wasn’t pretty but it sure was effective, and Arsenal are headed to the UEFA Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009 after beating Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday and eliminating the reigning European champions 5-1 on aggregate.
MORE — Champions League quarterfinal schedule, scores
The tie was nearly done and dusted barely 10 minutes into the second leg when Arsenal were awarded a penalty kick via video review. Two minutes after the incident occurred and play finally stopped, referee Francois Letexier went to the monitor and deemed that Raul Asencio had dragged Mikel Merino to the ground while defending a corner kick. Martin Odegaard looked like he would take the spot kick but eventually handed the ball off to Bukayo Saka, whose nonchalant effort was palmed away by Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid looked to have made the most of their reprieve and been handed a lifeline in the 23rd minute as Letexier whistled and pointed to the spot without hesitation after Kylian Mbappe went to ground with Declan Rice’s arms wrapped around him, but after a five-minute review the call was reversed and no penalty was given.
MORE — Champions League quarterfinal schedule, scores
Arsenal did a fantastic job of keeping the game uneventful the rest of the first half and for the first 15 minutes of the second, as Real Madrid amassed just 0.31 xG on nine harmless shots between the penalty incident and the 65th minute. That’s when the game burst to life for exactly two minutes. Merino slipped a clever through ball in behind Madrid’s defense and found Saka making an equally clever run through the middle, but he still had so much to do with Courtois rushing out to close the angle down. Saka coolly lifted the ball over the big Belgian and wheeled away as it sailed toward the far post. 1-0 on the night, 4-0 on aggregate. Done and dusted, right?
Perhaps William Saliba thought so, too, because he fell asleep with the ball at his feet atop the Arsenal penalty area shortly after the restart. Vinicius Junior spotted his casualness and pounced, winning the ball and sweeping it into the back of the net in one fell swoop. But Arsenal were hardly deterred by the gaffe and gave Real Madrid precious little from there on out. The Gunners defended anything and everything, and eventually found an outlet through Gabriel Martinelli in stoppage time. Martinelli raced away from Fran Garcia and slotted the ball inside the far post to secure the win on the night.
Arsenal will face PSG, who on Tuesday toppled another Premier League side, Aston Villa, in the semifinals with the first leg to be played in London on either April 29 or 30.
Player ratings - Real Madrid vs Arsenal
What’s next?
- Ipswich vs Arsenal — Sunday, 9 am ET
- Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao — Sunday, 3 pm ET
- Arsenal vs PSG — April 29/30 (semifinal first leg)
How to watch Real Madrid vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (April 16)
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Real Madrid vs Arsenal live updates - by Andy Edwards
Real Madrid vs Arsenal final score: 1-2 (1-5 agg.)
Goalscorers: Bukayo Saka (65'), Vinicius Junior (67'), Gabriel Martinelli (90'+3)
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 (1-5 agg.) Arsenal: Martinelli counters alone and puts the tie to bed (90'+3)
GABRIEL MARTINELLI SEALS IT FOR ARSENAL AT THE BERNABÉU ⚡
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 16, 2025
ARSENAL ARE HEADED TO THE #UCL SEMIFINALS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DIX4DPvID9
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 (1-4 agg.) Arsenal: Vinicius rips Saliba and scores (67')
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Arsenal (0-4 agg.) Arsenal: Saka lifts home the clincher (65')
https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1912608041473540533
NO PENALTY! Rice cleared of foul on Mbappe after 5-minute review (28')
Because it wasn’t a foul? Because Kylian Mbappe was offside? No one knows. After almost five minutes, the referee finally went to the monitor and looked at multiple angles of Declan Rice holding Mbappe as a cross came in, but the initial word was the penalty was rescinded for offside. A real mess of a situation, especially considering the precedent set by the earlier penalty awarded to Arsenal.
PK SAVED! Courtois denies Saka after Asencio fouls Merino (11')
THIBAUT COURTOIS SAVES BUKAYO SAKA'S EARLY PENALTY ⛔ pic.twitter.com/3NBgGAldIK
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 16, 2025
OFFSIDE! Mbappe chests home Vinicius’s shot but he’s well off (2')
Mbappe was about five yards offside so no real danger posed to Arsenal, but the threat of that quick counter-attack will weigh heavily on Gunner minds.
Real Madrid starting lineup
Courtois - Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Alaba - Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham - Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe
Arsenal starting lineup
Raya - Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly - Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal dominated Real in the first leg and should have won by more than three. They’re in an incredible position to reach their first Champions League semifinal in 16 years. But — and there’s always a but with Arsenal, even this Arsenal who are steady, talented and gaining more experience year after year as a group — this is reigning European champs Real Madrid. At the Bernabeu. In the Champions League quarterfinals. Real almost always find a way to somehow get through in the Champions League.
MORE — List of Champions League winners, all-time finals
Carlo Ancelotti knows his side are in a bad moment and need a miraculous comeback to reach the semifinals. They have completed many incredible comebacks in the past in this competition, with plenty of those coming over the last few seasons as they seem destined to always win this famous trophy. But with defensive injuries hitting them hard their balance is way off and their superstar forwards will need to come up with something extra special to put Arsenal under any pressure whatsoever. The first 30 minutes is going to be absolutely massive in Madrid. Buckle up.
Real Madrid team news, focus
There are some huge decisions for Ancelotti to make, with Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia expected to both come in at right back and left back respectively. Tchouameni will start in midfield after suspension and Valverde is likely to line up alongside him to provide Real with a more sustained high-pressing ability. In attack it’s clear Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will start, while Rodrygo should start but don’t be surprised if either Brahim Diaz or Arda Guler come in for him.
OUT: Dani Carvajal (ACL), Eder Militao (ACL), Ferland Mendy (muscle), Eduardo Camavinga (suspension)
Arsenal team news, focus
The Gunners have a very settled back four with Kiwior set to continue in place of the injured Gabriel. This is a huge game for the Polish center back. In midfield the trio of Rice, Partey and Odegaard will be tasked with matching their amazing intensity from the first leg. In attack Saka will start on the right and Martinelli probably gets the nod on the left with Merino up top, but don’t be surprised if Trossard comes in for either Martinelli or Merino with his clutch finishing handy as Arsenal should get chances on the counter.
OUT: Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring - MORE), Riccardo Calafiori (knee), Kai Havertz (hamstring - MORE), Gabriel Jesus (torn ACL - out for season), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Jorginho (ribs) | QUESTIONABLE: Ben White (knock)
Real Madrid vs Arsenal prediction
This feels like it’s going to be another epic Champions League night at the Bernabeu full of drama and individual brilliance. Real will throw everything at Arsenal, and it will get scary for the Gunners, but they will just squeeze through to the semifinals. Real Madrid 3-1 Arsenal (3-4 on aggregate to Arsenal)
