Arsenal reached the Champions League semi-finals in unforgettable style, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu to seal a 5-1 aggregate win. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were the heroes on a night that will live long in the memory, as Mikel Arteta’s side showed poise, maturity, and composure under the bright lights of Europe’s grandest stage.
Despite the pressure, Arsenal approached the match with remarkable control. They had already earned a commanding lead in the first leg, and at no point did they appear overwhelmed, even after some early drama. Saka missed a first-half penalty, a moment that could have shifted momentum, but he and his teammates remained unfazed. Their response was a display of calm, calculated football, one that not only stifled Madrid’s threat but also showcased their own attacking quality.
Madrid, for all their history and attacking stars, struggled to truly unsettle Arsenal. Kylian Mbappé had an early goal ruled out for offside, and while that raised the decibel levels in the stadium, Arsenal refused to be rattled. Saka threatened with two early efforts, and Arsenal managed the game’s tempo smartly, frustrating the hosts and keeping their structure intact.
The penalty incident added to the drama. It was initially unclear what the VAR check was for, but it ultimately resulted in Saka being awarded a spot kick after Raúl Asencio pulled down Mikel Merino. His attempt, a clipped effort down the middle, was too soft, and Thibaut Courtois managed to stop it, lifting Madrid hopes briefly. The home side then thought they had won a penalty themselves when Mbappé was brought down, but after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, much to Arsenal’s relief.
Despite these moments, Arsenal stayed in control. Their game plan of slowing the match down, frustrating the home crowd, and picking their moments worked to perfection. David Raya barely had a save to make in the first half, while Courtois was the busier of the two keepers.
Eventually, Arsenal’s superiority was rewarded. Raya’s long clearance was flicked on by Declan Rice, and through a series of slick passes, the ball found its way back to Saka via Martin Ødegaard and Merino. Saka finished calmly, dinking the ball over Courtois to score the goal that effectively sealed the tie.
There was a brief scare when William Saliba was caught in possession by Vinícius Júnior, who fired into an empty net after Raya’s mistake, but Arsenal didn’t lose their composure. The final word belonged to Martinelli, who broke clear of Madrid’s tired defence and slotted past Courtois to confirm Arsenal’s place in the last four.
It was a performance full of resilience, discipline, and moments of real quality. Over two legs, Arsenal didn’t just eliminate the reigning champions they outclassed them. This wasn’t a story of clinging on or scraping through; it was one of dominance, a new chapter in Arsenal’s European journey written in bold ink on one of football’s most iconic stages.
