Champions League: Arsenal Eliminates Defending Champions Madrid to Reach Semifinals After 16 Years
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Arsenal's impressive 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid marks their return to the Champions League semifinals after 16 years, setting the stage for a clash against Paris Saint-Germain. Bukayo Saka's redemption and Gabriel Martinelli's late goal highlighted a historic victory at the Bernabeu.
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal ends 16-year Champions League semifinal drought.
- Bukayo Saka redeems himself after missing a penalty.
- First English team to win twice at the Bernabeu.
- Gabriel Martinelli seals the victory with a late goal.
- Unbeaten European run extends to eight matches.
Madrid, April 17 (NationPress) Arsenal secured a remarkable 5-1 aggregate victory over the defending champions Real Madrid, marking the end of their 16-year drought for a Champions League semifinal appearance and setting up a clash with the formidable French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Bukayo Saka initially missed a crucial penalty that could have given them a commanding four-goal lead, but he made amends in the 65th minute by finishing a brilliant team move, extending the aggregate score to 4-0.
Just two minutes later, Vinicius Jr capitalized on defensive uncertainty to score for Madrid, but in the dying moments of the second half, Gabriel Martinelli sprinted clear to seal the victory, making Arsenal the first English team to win twice at the Bernabeu and extending their unbeaten European streak to eight matches, their longest since the final in 2006.
The Gunners started strong, with Saka firing wide after Jurrien Timber regained possession near the Madrid box, followed by a solid save from Thibaut Courtois on a 20-yard attempt from Saka.
In the 10th minute, VAR intervened to award Arsenal a penalty after Raul Ascencio fouled Mikel Merino, but Saka's panenka attempt was thwarted by Courtois.
Madrid's Vinícius Júnior tested David Raya with a curling shot, prompting manager Carlo Ancelotti to make a triple substitution, including the debut of 18-year-old striker Endrick.
Four minutes later, Arsenal netted their fourth goal through Saka, who converted a well-coordinated move involving Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, expertly chipping the ball over Courtois.
Despite Madrid's quick response from Vinícius Júnior, who scored after stealing the ball from William Saliba, Arsenal remained largely untroubled in the final minutes, with Rice controlling the midfield and Odegaard testing Courtois again.
The match concluded with a flourish as Martinelli scored with a side-footed finish after a swift counterattack initiated by Merino.
