Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (1-5 agg): Player ratings as mature Gunners book place in semi-finals

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·16 April 2025

Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (1-5 agg): Player ratings as mature Gunners book place in semi-finals

Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night, with a 2-1 victory in Madrid seeing them convincingly bypass the holders 5-1 on aggregate

The Gunners' job was clear as a result of their heroics last Tuesday, although confidence was seemingly rife within Real Madrid quarters that Carlo Ancelotti's side would complete 'La Remontada'.

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However, it looked like their task was going to be made even tougher when Arsenal were awarded a penalty following VAR intervention for Raul Asencio's pull on Mikel Merino's shirt from a set-piece. Bukayo Saka stepped up for the Gunners, but his attempted panenka was saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Ten minutes later, it looked like Madrid's comeback was being manufactured into action by the French referee, who awarded the softest of spot-kicks for Declan Rice's supposed foul on Kylian Mbappe. Following a lengthy stoppage, the decision was overturned and Arsenal were able to see out the remainder of the first half with relative comfort.

Madrid's frustration permeated into the second period, and the Gunners' stellar defensive effort was rewarded when Saka dinked the visitors ahead on the night after the hour mark. That lead lasted just a couple of minutes as a result of William Saliba's costly error, which allowed Vinicius Junior to pounce and equalise, but Arsenal stemmed Madrid's flow in the aftermath.

The Santiago Bernabeu was starting to empty before full-time, with not even the most optimistic of Madrid supporters envisaging a late comeback of the required magnitude. Arsenal were superb and their night was capped off in some style by Gabriel Martinelli, who rounded off a slick counter in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win on the night for the visitors.

PSG await in the last four.