Arsenal Advances to UCL Semifinals After Dramatic 2-1 Victory Over Real Madrid

Madrid, Spain — Arsenal secured their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third time in club history following a dramatic 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu on April 16, 2025. The Gunners, having won the first leg 3-0, triumphed 5-1 on aggregate.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 65th minute with a well-placed chip, before Vinícius Júnior briefly put Madrid back into contention just two minutes later. Gabriel Martinelli then sealed the match with a goal in stoppage time, putting the result beyond doubt.

The first half proved eventful, with Saka’s Panenka penalty being saved by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, while a VAR review denied Real a penalty after a challenge in the box.

“I think we can compete with anyone,” Saka said after the match in an interview with TNT Sports. “PSG is a different team now, but we’ll be ready for the challenge.”

With this victory, Arsenal made history by becoming the first team to win their initial two matches at the Bernabéu. Throughout the match, Arsenal demonstrated strong defensive organization, effectively stifling Madrid’s offensive threats.

Manager Mikel Arteta expressed pride in his team’s performance and acknowledged the difficulty of playing at such a storied venue. “We managed to win against a team with a rich history in this competition. It was a really special night,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals. Saka referenced their earlier encounter with PSG this season, where Arsenal won 2-0. “We know they have improved, but we can handle the challenge,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti reflected on his team’s challenges, stating, “We have a lot to fight for in La Liga. I’m proud of the effort, but we are disappointed in the Champions League result.”

In a separate quarter-final match, PSG advanced after overcoming Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate. Villa’s late efforts fell just short, but manager Unai Emery praised his team’s determination. “Despite the loss, we showed we can compete at this level,” he noted.

The semi-final schedule is set, with Arsenal looking to capitalize on their momentum against a formidable PSG side. “We are ready for whatever comes next,” Arteta concluded.