Date: April 16, 2025
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
Final Score: Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (Aggregate: 1-5)
Attendance: 81,365
Referee: Francois Letexier
Match Overview
The Gunners reached the semi-finals of UEFA Champions League courtesy of their 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the legendary Estadio Santiago Bernabéu which finalized their 5-1 aggregate victory. The Gunners maintained their dominant 3-0 lead from the first match while exhibiting three attributes that stopped any potential Real Madrid miracle: resilience combined with tactical precision and top-level finishing. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scored goals which put the win away while Vinícius Júnior delivered a quick burst of action that ended because Arsenal secured a place in the Paris Saint-Germain semi-final match in their first Champions League semi-final run since 2009.
First Half: Arsenal’s Control Amid Bernabéu Roar
During the first half of the match Arsenal maintained control while enduring the Boisterous Home Environment at Bernabéu.
Early Exchanges and Missed Opportunities
The earliest part of the match was marked by intense fan noise at Bernabéu stadium as supporters attempted to lead Real Madrid back from their three-goal deficit. The Real Madrid offensive faced difficulty because Arsenal’s defensive organization denied their early offensive progress despite falling behind by three goals. The Arsenal team refused to relax their efforts as they pushed up aggressively while taking advantage of open spaces during counterattacks. Bukayo Saka drove a shot to the right side after Jurrien Timber pressed real estate inside Madrid’s penalty area during the fourth minute which demonstrated Arsenal’s attacking mindset not defensive mentality.
The 10th minute brought a moment of critical importance after VAR’s involvement. The penalty for Arsenal was given when Raul Asencio caused Mikel Merino’s fall while pulling his shirt during a corner kick. Saka made a failed attempt at the panenka penalty which Courtois correctly intercepted before erupting the home supporters. After Real Madrid players received belief from the miss their attacking intentions intensified. Lucas Vazquez’s cross was relayed toward Kylian Mbappé by Vazquez but the Frenchman’s attempted penalty appeal after contact with Declan Rice received no response from the officials.
Defensive Solidity and Tactical Discipline
In Arsenal’s defensive formation William Saliba along with Jakub Kiwior maintained their defensive positions during Real Madrid‘s attacks featuring Mbappé and his two partners Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo. Both Real Madrid and goalkeeper David Raya stayed unchallenged in the first half because the team mostly used unsuccesful crosses against Arsenal’s strong aerial defense. Thomas Partey and Martin Ødegaard controlled the game’s speed from midfield as 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly displayed mature defensive skills to defend against Jude Bellingham.
The penalty miss did not faze Arsenal who continued their approach by having Saka and Gabriel Martinelli utilize space against the substitute full-backs Lucas Vazquez and David Alaba. Real Madrid failed to score during the first half as Arsenal controlled the match while successfully defending their lead position.
Second Half: Arsenal Seal Historic Victory
Saka’s Redemption and Real’s Fleeting Hope
After halftime Arsenal used their quick counterattacks to progress forward during the second forty minutes of the match. Saka compensated for the previous penalty mistake by scoring decisively in the 65th minute. Through Ødegaard’s exact passing the winger received the ball while making a move inside Alaba before scoring past Courtois and achieving a 4-0 aggregate lead for Arsenal. Real Madrid’s hopes faded into complete darkness as the Bernabéu stadium became silent.
Real Madrid illuminated hope when their players scored two minutes into the following play. Saliba gave away the ball from his defensive position close to his goal which allowed Vinícius Júnior to seize the opportunity. The Brazilian struck a low shot past Raya that brought the aggregate score to 4-1 while exciting the home supporters. Carlo Ancelotti instructed his team to push toward achieving a possible comeback against Paris Saint-Germain.
Martinelli’s Stoppage-Time Dagger
With Real Madrid intensifying their offensive effort they opened defensive spaces for Arsenal to capitalize on during the play. Until the final minute of stoppage time Mikel Merino played a pinpoint pass from midfield that set Gabriel Martinelli on a sprint toward the opposition goal. The Brazilian winger mimicked Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to successfully finish his chance by passing the ball past Courtois which led to jubilant cheering from the fans. The strike accomplished a 2-1 final score while demonstrating Arsenal’s complete superiority throughout the contest.
Key Performances
Arsenal’s Standouts
- Rice delivered an 8/10 rating because his command of midfield alongside his steady leadership played a crucial part. The double-goal he scored at this high level propelled Arsenal toward total control while disabling Bellingham from making his impact in Madrid.
- The penalty miss notwithstanding Saka scored a goal while maintaining persistent offensive danger as a right-winger for the Gunners. Vazquez’s defensive weakness allowed Rice to create continuous problems for Real throughout the match.
- As stoppage-time ran out Martinelli scored to finish what was a tireless regeneration of energy throughout the match. The quick and straightforward nature of his play tormented Alaba throughout the game just as Henry used to do.
- Saliba displayed exceptional defensive skills throughout the match (7.5/10), although Vinícius scored following Saliba’s one mistake.
Real Madrid’s Struggles
- Courtois delivered seven out of ten performances in the match despite stopping the penalty kick and making important stops throughout the game. His three stops against Chelsea during the first match stood out as top highlights yet he struggled because his defenders failed him.
- Vinícius Júnior managed a 7/10 rating because he scored two goals during the competition yet his opponents kept him under strict defensive control.
- Kylian Mbappé received a 5.5 rating during the match while he fought against Kiwior and Saliba defensively. Real Madrid’s offensive struggles became apparent because of his minimal contribution during the matches.
- Alaba received a 4.5 rating during the match because the team placed him at left-back but he faced issues when facing Saka and Martinelli due to their fast speed.
Tactical Analysis
Arsenal’s Counter-Attacking Masterclass
Mikel Arteta successfully implemented the game plan he had developed. Arsenal intentionally gave up ball possession (33.8% in the second leg) as they built a defensive organization system and made quick attacks. The middle field combination of Rice, Ødegaard and Partey physically dominated Real’s central players as Saka and Martinelli took advantage of the wide positions. Aids’ substitution of Lewis-Skelly in left-back resulted in solid defensive performance when he dealt professionally with Bellingham and Vinícius. Much like their 2006 Champions League cup run Arsenal utilized defensive structure and break-time attacks to successfully defeat Real Madrid in their way to the finals.
Real Madrid’s Failed Comeback
The Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti needed a quick start-up but his team did not possess enough force to penetrate Arsenal’s defensive defenses. Ancelotti was forced to rush together an improvised defensive line-up because Eduardo Camavinga received a red card in the first leg and Ferland Mendy remained injured until the second match. Firstly Valverde played right-back in the first leg and then Alaba took the left-back position in the second. The high 66.2% match possession during the second leg produced just three shot opportunities that showed Real Madrid’s lack of offensive threat. The many crosses from Real Madrid created scoring opportunities for Arsenal while their lack of midfield drive permitted Arsenal to take control of midfield.
Post-Match Reaction
Mikel Arteta
Arteta stated that this match created a historic moment for the club following the match. Our team arrived with belief for an offensive performance instead of passive defense. The team acted perfectly to a point where they now stand close to achieving something remarkable. Arteta praised Saka’s toughness once the penalty was missed while praising his team’s defensive togetherness.
Carlo Ancelotti
During the second cup tie Ancelotti stood firm after the defeat: “The two teams played their top level but Arsenal delivered an outstanding performance.” We have to congratulate them. The support from the Bernabéu Stadium failed to secure victory during this match. Speculations emerged about Ancelotti’s duration at the club after Real Madrid suffered both the heavy first-leg defeat and the elimination from the Champions League campaign.
Statistical Breakdown
- Possession: Real Madrid 66.2%, Arsenal 33.8%
- Shots: Real Madrid 18 (3 on target), Arsenal 12 (6 on target)
- Corners: Real Madrid 10, Arsenal 4
- Saves: Courtois 4, Raya 2
- Yellow Cards: Real Madrid 3, Arsenal 2
- Pass Completion: Real Madrid 88%, Arsenal 82%
What’s Next?
Arsenal now finds themselves in their third Champions League semi-final run after 2009 and it represents their third appearance in history. The French team Paris Saint-Germain will play Arsenal in a two-match playoff starting late April. Arsenal will face up against Ipswich Town during Easter Sunday after their successful Champions League performance.
Real Madrid experiences a devastating Champions League defeat that has become a bitter setback for their club which achieved championship 15 times prior. Real Madrid Manager Carlo Ancelotti must now focus on rescue efforts for the domestic league after Kylian Mbappé receives a suspension and multiple injuries weaken the team. After this painful set back Alaves will be the visiting team but the main goal will be to regain lost confidence.
Conclusion
The 5-1 aggregate victory Arsenal achieved against Real Madrid proves their serious commitment to winning their first-ever Champions League trophy. The first-leg win from Declan Rice produced landmark moments while Saka and Martinelli proved their skills in the return fixture showing how Arsenal could guard their initiative through youthful talent and mature expertise. The 5-1 aggregate loss against Real Madrid shows weaknesses in Real Madrid’s evolving squad while questioning their position as European Champions. The semi-finals approach for Arsenal as the Bernabeu fans must reflect on the tie which ended in a dramatic fashion.
