Bend it like Declan. Have we ever seen two such stunning free-kicks at the Emirates? Have we, in fact, seen anything like them in the Champions League? And has this stadium ever had a night like this?
Declan Rice scored twice and Arsenal shocked Real Madrid to take a three-goal lead to Spain next week for the second leg of this quarter-final.
Is it over? It never feels over with Real but it will take a monumental effort and an equally dramatic capitulation to turn this around. Only three times before has a three-goal deficit been reversed in this competition.
“Never forget – 90 minutes at the Bernabéu are molto longo” declared the Spanish newspaper Marca. Those last two words need no translation, but Arsenal have given themselves every chance to make it not such a long night next Wednesday.
For Rice, it was the midfielder’s arrival on the world stage – if he needed that – with his goals capping a towering performance. It was one for the ages from the 26-year-old.
“We got him half-price,” sang the ecstatic, almost disbelieving Arsenal fans of their £105 million record signing and, frankly, they were right. He eclipsed the the 15-time champions and competition holders.
To think Rice had never even scored a direct free-kick before. Here were two of the very best we have ever seen – from fully 29 and almost 28 yards and against the best goalkeeper in the world in Thibaut Courtois, who never got his 6ft 7in frame close to either effort.
Declan Rice hit TWO worldie free-kicks vs Real Madrid 🤯
So nice he did it twice ✌️ pic.twitter.com/zg5CzlQQNh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
“My phone has gone crazy. I’ve not had a message from David Beckham – I am not lucky enough to have his number!” Rice later said and they were strikes that the former Real midfielder would have been proud of. Beckham-esque, indeed. Rice can expect a text.
It was the fifth time in the history of this competition – after Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Hakim Ziyech – that a player had scored two free-kicks in one game. But two as good as these? Surely not. At the final whistle, The Angel rang around the stadium as the Arsenal fans held their scarves aloft. Rice’s goals were heaven-sent.
Mikel Arteta had talked about Arsenal building their own story and it was Rice who shaped the plot, gained the credits and authored it, with Bukayo Saka his thrilling writing partner. To think Rice has been criticised by pundits such as Graeme Souness for not scoring enough. Maybe they have a point. But pick those ones out.
There was a crackle in the air, the kind that only comes with big European nights, a mix of hope and expectation and a little trepidation. An imploring banner which read: “Make It Happen.”
Rice did just that. With a lot of help from Saka, who throughout the first half had provided the threat, up against 32-year-old David Alaba, with his history of injury and his left leg strapped, who simply could not cope against the fit-again winger. In a match-up with Vinicius Junior, it was emphatically Saka who came out on top, just as Rice bested his England team-mate Jude Bellingham.
Even so, the frustration of going in at half-time goalless was clear. Yes, Real had been dangerous on the counter-attack and maybe it would have been different had Kylian Mbappé scored when Bellingham sent him through. However, the real threat came not from Real, but from Arsenal, although it felt they might again rue the absence of a finisher such as Thierry Henry – who memorably scored the winning goal the last time these two sides had met in the Champions League in 2006, when Arsenal went on to reach the final. This time Henry was working for TV.
That was Arsenal’s only appearance in the final but, suddenly, the prospect of a semi-final against Paris St-Germain – whom they beat in the group stage, but are a different prospect now – or Aston Villa – coached by cup specialist Unai Emery, Arsenal’s former manager – is in sight. Tantalisingly close, but they are not there yet.
Here the message had to be: give it to Saka. And so, he earned both free-kicks, drawing panicky fouls, from which Rice struck. Courtois had been keeping Arsenal out. He had saved Rice’s header and reacted quickly to beat out Gabriel Martinelli’s follow-up. But he could not stop Rice’s strike as the midfielder stepped up and whipped the ball around the defensive wall with power, pace and precision. Courtois had no chance and both William Saliba and Martin Odegaard held their heads in celebration.
While every other Arsenal player was running to celebrate with Declan Rice after his second free-kick, Martin Odegaard just stood in disbelief 😅 pic.twitter.com/MfpK9mno47
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
There was a surge throughout the stadium and it pulsed even more on the pitch as Arsenal poured forward. Once more Courtois denied them as he turned away another Martinelli effort, with Alaba blocking Mikel Merino’s follow-up on the line before Courtois denied the makeshift No 9. Soon after, Bellingham stopped a goal-bound Rice shot.
But he would not be denied. Arguably his second free-kick was even better than the first. This time he hammered another curling effort high into the top corner. The placement of the Real defensive wall was bizarre, but Rice’s shot was so accurate it felt unstoppable.
Real were falling apart. On the touchline Carlo Ancelotti looked as taken aback as his players. Even so, was two goals enough?
Two became three, though, when Rice drove forward and the impressive Myles Lewis-Skelly teed up Merino, who swept home first time.
MIKEL MERINO MAKES IT THREE 😱
Arsenal are living the dream at the Emirates#UCLonPrimepic.twitter.com/QrO3lDFxSs
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
Maybe a late goal from Real might have changed the momentum. Instead they could not cope and their evening was summed up when the influential Eduardo Camavinga was dismissed in stoppage time, ruling him out of the return leg. Arsenal’s lead feels significant.
10:53 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Arsenal’s incredible 3-0 victory over Real Madrid to an end.
Two sensational Declan Rice free-kicks and a Mikel Merino strike have given Mikel Arteta’s men a huge advantage going into next week’s second leg at the Bernabeu.
Thanks for joining us!
10:51 PM BST
Will Arteta ask Guardiola for advice?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on whether he will ask Pep Guardiola for advice against Real Madrid: “He’s had a lot of situations like that, coming into this I wanted to talk to him. He’s someone who admires the good things we’ve done.
“It’s important to learn from the best, he’s a very intelligent person and I’ve had the good fortune to work with someone like that.”
10:50 PM BST
Arteta: Atmosphere and magic moments won the game
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said: “I’m very proud. We had a very complete performance, and we did what we had to do to win that game.
“It’s about two things. The atmosphere, which was like I’ve never seen even 15 minutes before kick-off. And then the second is magic moments.
“And Declan’s free-kicks sum it up.”
Arteta added: “I was very convinced [this could happen]. I could sense in the build-up we could create a lot of problems.
“But you have to make it happen. If you have that mindset and belief it can happen, you can deliver it. We did that but it’s only half-time.”
On Rice and Saka going off, he said: “Declan and Saka both have knocks. They don’t look serious though.”
10:48 PM BST
Ancelotti: Performance was ‘disappointing and poor’
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, has said:“It’s been very difficult for us. We thought the team were strong coming into the game, in the first half we were organised.
“Then after the two goals we conceded from free-kicks, the team struggled mentally and physically. The level dropped.
“It was difficult, it was finishing the game in that way. Normally this team raise their game towards the end of games, it was disappointing and poor.
“We have to be critical of ourselves here and do everything we can next week to recover.”
10:41 PM BST
Bellingham: ‘Arsenal could have had way more’
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said: “We were nowhere near it. That’s the fact and Arsenal were really good. I know two of their goals were free-kicks but they could have had way more.
“There is a second leg and that’s what we’re holding on to. We need something really special, something crazy really but one place where crazy things happen is our house. 90 more minutes at home to pull something out of the bag.
“They’re two great pieces of individual quality and if it wasn’t for them, they still have other chances. We got punished and that happens at top-level football.
“In these games, you need to create more. Very rarely do you come to a place like this score one goal and take your lead back home. They reacted really well to the transition. We didn’t do enough on the ball to threaten.
“We’re still alive, we’ve got 90 mins of football and anything can happen at the Bernabeu.”
10:38 PM BST
Rice: ‘I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight’
Watching Arsenal’s set-piece coach celebrate, Declan Rice joked: “He’s claiming for it but he’s told me to cross it!”
On his second free-kick, he said: “It looks far out, you don’t even realise. Do you know what. We were going to touch and set it. Me and Martin [Odegaard]. But Mbappe was kind of stuck too close.
“But then I thought I’ve got the keeper’s side, I practice this so much, I was going to go for it. I had the confidence from the first one. If it went over the bar it wouldn’t matter.
“I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historical night, and to score two goals against Real Madrid.
“We want to win this competition. But we have to take it one game at a time.
“Even at West Ham and ever since I’ve been here everyone’s been telling me to shoot more. It’s these little things and you’ve got to be in that mindset to score goals. I do have the ability to do it, but it’s a confidence thing.
“I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. I’m delighted.”
10:35 PM BST
Bellingham brief with Rice
10:32 PM BST
‘Not even Superman would get it’, Seedorf on Rice free-kick
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Clarence Seedorf said: “Rice read it well, he saw the space, Courtois put the wall badly, only four players, too much space, but you still need to hit it well.
“Credit to him to read it and take advantage. The confidence he had from the free-kick a moment before, where he put that ball, not even Superman would get it.
10:29 PM BST
‘It didn’t make sense to cross’, Rice on first free-kick
Arsenal goalscorer Declan Rice to Amazon Prime:“I don’t know whether it will ever sink in. I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one. I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.
“To beat Real Madrid in this competition. It’s a big night for us.
“The manager just said that then. Even if we’re 3-0 up the individual quality they have is scary. At the Bernabeu special things happen for them. We want to be in the Champions League semi-finals.”
Has David Beckham texted him?: “I’m not lucky enough to have his number. I’m just so happy.”
On his first free-kick, he said: “We were saying to cross it. When they were over a little bit we saw the space Bukayo said if you feel it, go for it. I thought I’m going to take this.
“When you score a goal it’s the best feeling in the world. It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball. It would have to be a delicate pass. And when I saw the wall. It didn’t make sense to cross. You know what, I’m happy I took it because it was magic.”
10:26 PM BST
History-maker
2 – Declan Rice is the first player to score two direct free kick goals in a knockout stage match in the UEFA Champions League. Precision. pic.twitter.com/loLhfmZ7sX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2025
10:24 PM BST
Fabregas not writing off Madrid
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Cesc Fabregas said: “I’d love to say it’s over. But after the first goal I said they needed a second and after the second they needed a third.
“But Real Madrid are Real Madrid.”
10:21 PM BST
Premier League earn fifth spot
That Arsenal win now means fifth place in the Premier League will guarantee Champions League football for next season.
10:19 PM BST
Rooney: ‘Technically Rice is fantastic’
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Wayne Rooney said: “He’s [Declan Rice] had that in his game.
“Technically he’s fantastic. Tonight he got that first free-kick. For that second free-kick there was only one person taking it. And it was incredible.
10:18 PM BST
Merino ‘not surprised’ by Rice free-kicks
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino talking to Amazon Prime: “We were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace and tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side. The second half was amazing, we played with full gas from the side. When this side plays like that the crowd go with us.”
On Declan Rice’s free-kicks: “We had a few free-kicks in the past week that we didn’t score. He has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career. I’m not surprised, maybe you are. Hopefully more will come in the future.”
10:16 PM BST
Rice: ‘In a few years time this will really hit me’
Speaking to Amazon Prime, goalscorer Declan Rice said: “That’s been the message from the manager. That was the message since the weekend. We need to be super convinced we can come and win this game. As a group we were really convinced. We needed to score in the second half.”
On his free-kicks, he said: “It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. Originally we were going to cross it and then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. So I thought just go for it. And Bukayo [Saka] said to just feel it.
“The second one I had the confidence. I hit it. It’s not going to hit me now because there’s another leg to go. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. But in a few years time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.
”[Bukayo Saka] Look, to come back in the time he has done is unbelievable. He’s a top guy. We need to be ready for next week. The Bernabeu, what it’s like to play there. We need to be ready.”
10:14 PM BST
The story behind Declan Rice’s two sensational free-kicks
Tonight’s game was decided by the magic of Declan Rice’s free-kicks. Take a look at Telegraph Sport’s detailed analysis of the set pieces.
10:12 PM BST
Player ratings
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice shone tonight as Madrid’s attackers struggled. Take a look at Telegraph Sport’s full player ratings.
10:08 PM BST
Elsewhere this evening
Inter Milan took a huge step towards reaching the semi-finals after beating Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Allianz Arena.
Thomas Muller cancelled out Lautaro Martinez’s opener in the 85th minute but Davide Frattesi restored the lead just three minutes later to give the Italians a lead to take back to the San Siro next week.
10:06 PM BST
The universal reaction to Rice’s free-kicks
10:02 PM BST
Shearer: ‘It’s what they deserved’
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Alan Shearer said: “Three really incredible goals. It’s what they’ve deserved this evening.
“The crowd got them going at the beginning, the players continued it in the second half. And what a chance they’ve given themselves.”
09:56 PM BST
Full time: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal close out the remainder of stoppage time and the full-time whistle blows on a historic evening for Mikel Arteta’s men.
What an incredible victory that sets them up superbly to reach the semi-finals ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Bernabeu.
It was a superb second-half performance from the hosts with Declan Rice producing two sensational free-kicks before Mikel Merino added a clinical third.
09:55 PM BST
RED CARD! Camavinga given second yellow for kicking the ball away
Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0 Mbappe picks the ball up in a promising position on the edge of the box and cuts back and forth looking for room for the shot but Arsenal close the angles down well.
Madrid give the foul away as Arsenal look to break and Camavinga just boots the ball away already on a yellow card and he is dismissed. How silly is that? He was already missing the second leg but either way a nonsensical decision.
09:51 PM BST
90+1 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Madrid really have offered very little in this second half. Arsenal have done wonderfully to nullify their star men in attack.
Vinicius does burst into life though, cutting inside from the left but Timber tracks him well and blocks his effort that deflects into the arms of Raya. That is Timber’s last involvement as he is replaced by White for the closing stages.
There will be four minutes added on at the end here.
09:47 PM BST
88 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Merino has now scored four goals against Madrid in his career. That’s his biggest tally against any side whilst playing in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions.
Partey gives the ball away with a sloppy pass in a dangerous position midfield but recovers well with a sliding challenge.
09:44 PM BST
85 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal win the corner down their right but again Courtois is dominant as he punches away before Tierney fouls Rodrygo on the edge of the box.
There will be another change from Ancelotti now, bringing on Diaz in place of Rodrygo.
09:42 PM BST
83 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
It is crucial for Arsenal to keep their heads here and ensure they close the clean sheet out. Madrid will be more than confident of overturning a two-goal deficit at the Bernabeu.
Rice’s first free-kick tonight was the first he has scored in his career. What a moment to step up with a couple.
Tierney does well to deal with Rodrygo and wins the free-kick as he shepherds the ball out of play.
09:40 PM BST
80 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Bellingham tugs Odegaard back on two occasions as the Arsenal man brings the ball away and while the free-kick is given, he is very fortunate to avoid the yellow.
Before play can resume Rice is down and receiving treatment. Not what Arteta wants to be seeing. He is back on his feet but will be making way for Tierney. What a reception he is getting from the Emirates and rightly so.
Meanwhile Garcia is on for Alaba.
09:37 PM BST
GOAL! Merino adds a third for Arsenal
Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0 (Merino) Arsenal are running riot! Rice drives down the home side’s left and feeds Trossard towards the byline.
The ball is played back to Lewis-Skelly who lays it across to Merino on the edge of the box and the Spaniard sweeps a superb strike into the bottom left corner.
That was great technique from the Arsenal man who was going away from goal as he struck that.
09:34 PM BST
74 mins: Arsenal 2 Real Madrid 0
That was Saka’s final involvement of the evening as he is replaced by Trossard.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the Arsenal celebrations Modric was replaced for Madrid.
09:33 PM BST
Speechless
Erm….
09:32 PM BST
GOAL! Rice scores a second sensational free-kick
Arsenal 2 Real Madrid 0 (Rice) I don’t believe this, that is simply sensational. Once again Saka wins the foul on the edge of the box and once again it’s Rice who steps up, this time just to the left of centre.
This one is even better as Rice wraps an outrageous strike into the top right corner, with Courtois stepping the other way, to double Arsenal’s lead. Delirium at the Emirates.
DECLAN RICE HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🤯
Another excellent free kick puts Arsenal up 2-0 at the Emirates#UCLonPrimepic.twitter.com/xXezgRvfJq
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
09:28 PM BST
68 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
Wow… Incredible defending from Madrid. Martinelli is slipped into the left of the box and forces a smart save from Courtois with a powerful left-footed strike across goal.
The ball drops to Merino and his volley is cleared off the line by Alaba but it falls back at the Arsenal man but, again, he is denied, this time by a superb reaction stop by Courtois.
From the resulting corner, the ball lands at the feet of Rice, just inside the area. He looks to curl one into the bottom left corner but it’s cleared off the line by Bellingham.
09:26 PM BST
Madrid mistake in the wall?
Real Madrid only put 4 players in their wall for that Declan Rice free-kick 👀💫 pic.twitter.com/37TdyGbYzI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
09:25 PM BST
64 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
Saka wins the corner down the right and the Emirates can sense a second goal here as the big men come trotting forward. Courtois claims superbly though and takes the fizz out of that moment.
09:21 PM BST
61 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
You have to say, that is thoroughly deserved the home side. Can they build on this now? You feel they would like a two-goal cushion heading to the Bernabeu.
Madrid look for the instant response as they win the corner down their left. Bellingham pulls of an audacious scorpion-like volley but it’s straight into the arms of Raya.
09:19 PM BST
GOAL! Rice breaks the deadlock with incredible free-kick
Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0 (Rice) Wow! Rice steps up for the free-kick, slightly to the right of centre and about 29 yards out and my word does he hit it well.
The England man curls it sensationally around the wall and it creeps in, just inside the right post. The Emirates erupts!
Bend it like Rice 🔥#UCLonPrimepic.twitter.com/yuhrSzp7AB
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
09:17 PM BST
57 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Rice plays a clever give-and-go and looks set to take aim from inside the box but Asencio is in well to make the challenge and the ball pings away for an Arsenal throw-in.
Saka cuts inside and is tripped by Alaba on the edge of the box. The free-kick is given and there are more ironic cheers from the home fans. A great position for the hosts.
09:14 PM BST
55 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Partey is the first player into the book for shoulder-barging Camavinga and connecting with his face after the Frenchman had played a pass around him.
Madrid soon settle back into their low block as Arsenal’s defenders knock the ball around, probing for a gap. It’s very much a 4-4-2 for Madrid out of possession.
09:12 PM BST
No penalty, says Hackett
Some talk at half-time from Amazon pundit Daniel Sturridge that it could have been handball when Declan Rice’s point-blank strike hit Marco Asensio’s hand.
Not so according to Telegraph Sport refereeing expert Keith Hackett who said: “I do not understand why VAR even intervened. There is no way that it was a deliberate handball.
“The distance and is minimal and the Real Madrid player’s arm was in a natural position. It does not fulfil the criteria of a clear and obvious error – and was simply the result of an over-indulgent VAR.”
09:11 PM BST
52 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Mbappe is fed into the left of the box by a clever pass round the corner from Bellingham and manages to shift the ball onto his left foot but crashes his strike against the side-netting.
09:09 PM BST
50 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
It’s been a fairly low-key start to this second period with Arsenal enjoying a lengthy spell of possession before eventually coming forward but Martinelli spoons his cross out for a goal-kick.
Courtois takes his time over the goal-kick and is told to hurry up the referee. A sign of things to come from the visitors perhaps.
09:07 PM BST
Class from Carlo
Carlo proving he’s still got it aged 65 by doing a few keepy-uppies on the touchline when the ball was kicked out towards him. Bellingham looked impressed.
09:04 PM BST
46 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Real Madrid are back out on the pitch a couple of minutes after the hosts but eventually we are back underway at the Emirates with Arsenal and Odegaard kicking things off going from right to left. Can either side find the breakthrough?
09:00 PM BST
Arsenal’s missing link
Strap yourselves in for a hot football take…I think Arsenal would be leading now if they had a striker. A couple of those Bukayo Saka crosses were just waiting to be turned into the net.
08:58 PM BST
Saka causing problems
08:56 PM BST
Elsewhere this evening
Inter Milan have taken the lead away at Bayern Munich thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s sensational outside-of-the-foot strike.
08:55 PM BST
Arsenal knocking on the door
Arsenal had four shots on target in the first half, their most without scoring in the opening 45 minutes of a Champions League knockout game on record.
08:48 PM BST
Half-time: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Following two minutes of added time, in which the highlight was Camavinga blazing over from range, the half-time whistle brings a thoroughly entertaining opening period to an end.
Both sides have had chances but it’s all-square at the interval.
08:47 PM BST
45 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Those home frustrations turn into ironic jeers when Arsenal get awarded a throw-in that could have gone either way.
Arsenal come forward and Timber swings in a wonderful cross that finds Rice but Courtois is down well to keep the header out of the bottom left corner before getting up to deny Martinelli on the rebound. Wonderful stuff from the Madrid keeper.
08:42 PM BST
Tonight’s referee
Just a note on tonight’s referee Irfan Peljo from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He’s one of Uefa’s elite category officials, but does not have a big track record. He only refereed his first-ever Champions League knock-out game in February last year. He’s not dropped any howlers yet, but the home fans have been frustrated with a few Real Madrid challenges he has let go.
08:41 PM BST
41 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Saka and Odegaard combine nicely doewn Arsenal’s right and the winger gets another low ball across the box but this one is slightly behind the arriving forwards. Madrid are struggling to cope with Saka.
08:40 PM BST
Mbappe terrifying the Arsenal defence
Mbappe has not properly hurt Arsenal yet but the sharpness of his movement is terrifying the home defence (and the home crowd). Everything just seems to happen a split-second quicker when he’s involved in the game.
08:39 PM BST
38 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
For what feels like the first time in the match so far, things just slow down for a moment and Madrid enjoy a spell of possession.
But Arsenal win it back and what a chance! Saka receives the ball down the right and beats Bellingham on the outside. He plays a sensational ball across the face of goal but no-one is there and it just runs all the way across. It was just begging for a touch!
Has anyone suggested that Arsenal could do with an out-and-out centre forward?
08:36 PM BST
35 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Madrid flicks the ball over Odegaard’s head before skipping past Partey but then catches Merino on the edge of the box to give away the foul. The Frenchman is becoming more and more involved in the game now, though.
Arsenal have started well but their players do look slightly nervey on the ball with things not quite clicking as they usually do. You can tell it’s an enormous game for them.
08:33 PM BST
32 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Bellingham gets the better of Timber on Madrid’s left and slides a perfectly-weighted ball into the left channel for Mbappe to latch onto.
The striker drives into the box and looks to curl one into the bottom right corner but doesn’t start the effort wide enough and it ends up straight at Raya who parries away.
08:30 PM BST
30 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Timber is back on now and looking like he’ll be able to continue. Perhaps just a sore knock rather than anything lasting.
Lewis-Skelly steps up inside once again and picks up a clever pocket but gets his pass wrong this time as he plays on the outside of Saka, who was making the run inside. He has started really well though.
08:29 PM BST
Arteta in conversation with Odegaard
The break in play for Jurien Timber’s injury allowed Mikel Arteta to call over Martin Odegaard for a long chat. The former Real Madrid player has started the game relatively well, but Arteta obviously saw something he needed to communicate to him.
08:28 PM BST
26 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Kiwior plays a loose pass that puts Saliba in trouble and the Frenchman has to slide in to deal with it. The ball lands with Vinicius though and he slides Mbappe in on goal but the striker blazes over. The flag was up but a let-off again for Kiwior nonetheless.
Timber looks to have been caught by Mbappe as he attempted to block the strike and is in some pain. He is receiving some treatment but looks like he might be able to continue as he gets to his feet.
08:24 PM BST
23 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Madrid break well and the ball is worked to Vinicus in the left of a crowded box. The winger composes himself before looking to place one in the bottom right corner but it drifts just wide.
When Arsenal have the ball, Merino is dropping into midfield while Lewis-Skelly is also stepping inside meaning the home side essentially have five central midfielders. You feel Rudiger would rather have a centre-forward playing on his toes.
08:22 PM BST
21 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Lewis-Skelly brings the ball under control before holding off a couple of challenges and sliding a dangerous ball in behind for Martinelli. Asencio sweeps up superbly with a well-timed sliding challenge but Arsenal’s youngster doesn’t look phased!
The left-back plays another superb pass into Merino’s feet before Rice is brought down on the edge of the box but the referee waves play on. Moments later and Odegaard is pushed to the floor and somehow there is no free-kick once again. Two very harsh calls for the home side.
08:19 PM BST
19 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal are pressing Madrid well here and think they have earned a throw-in high up in the visitors’ half but the call goes against them and the Emirates isn’t happy.
Odegaard then gives away the foul as he puts the pressure on Modric. It’s been a really positive start from Arsenal though.
08:17 PM BST
17 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Madrid break down the other end and win a corner but before it’s taken there is a VAR check for an Arsenal penalty. They are checking whether Asencio’s block on Rice’s previous effort was with his hand. It probably was but his arm was close to his body and it was from such close-range.
After a few replays, the decision is no-penalty. The right call but a strange one to check for so long. Raya does well to punch away the following corner when play resumes.
08:15 PM BST
15 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Odegaard plays a delightful scoop-turn pass inside to Timber who looks to drive to the by-line past Camavinga. The Arsenal full-back goes down but is – correctly – told to get to his feet.
Another good chance for Arsenal now. Martinelli beats Valverde on the outside before playing a low ball across the six-yard box. Rice’s volley at the near post is blocked and the ball lands with Merino, who tees up Partey on the edge of the box, but his low side-footed strike is too close to Courtois. He had plenty of time to pick his spot.
08:11 PM BST
11 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
On second look at that Arsenal corner, it looks as if Saliba cleared Partey’s flicked header off the line preventing an Arsenal opener! There wasn’t much he could do about it in fairness but what a chance.
Madrid’s game-plan is very clear in these opening stages – happy to sit in and wait for the Arsenal error to break through Vinicius Junior and Mbappe. There’s been early signs it may a good one.
08:09 PM BST
8 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
That was nearly a disaster for Madrid! Saka works the room in the right of the area to deliver a low ball across the six-yard box. It’s a tame one really but Rudiger directs his clearance straight into Camavinga and the ball deflects inches wide of the post.
Courtois flaps over the corner from Saka before Madrid scramble away the winger’s second set-piece. The Spanish side certainly don’t look comfortable in those positions.
08:06 PM BST
Restricted viewing from the press box
Two rules when you’re lucky enough to be at a game as a member of the media. Never complain about the free food. And never complain about fans who pay to be there standing up in front of you. So I’m definitely not complaining that it’s quite hard to see the game in these early stages. Fair play to the fans, I’d be on my feet if it was my team too.
08:05 PM BST
5 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
What a waste! Odegaard’s inswinging free-kick is really poor and is volleyed clear by the first man.
Vinicius Junior then intercepts Saka’s slack pass and Madrid can counter. The winger can drive into the Arsenal box before looking for Mbappe with the outside of his foot but Saliba can get in the way of the pass and it deflects back to Raya. A let-off!
08:03 PM BST
3 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Kiwior misjudges a throw-in and Mbappe has an early chance to let fly but his effort from the edge of the box is comfortable for Raya. Not the ideal start from Arsenal’s deputising centre-back.
Timber pinches it high up down Arsenal’s right and Saka draws the foul from Modric just on the edge of the box. This is a very promising position for the home side.
08:01 PM BST
1 min: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
We are underway at the Emirates with Madrid and Mbappe getting us underway kicking from right to left.
There is a sensational atmosphere in north London this evening. Can the hosts feed off it?
07:58 PM BST
Time for Arsenal to step up
All the pre-match shizz was quite good, to be fair. Now the Arsenal players need to live up to it…
07:57 PM BST
Players out on the pitch
Vinicius Junior is all smiles in the tunnel, looking very relaxed. Will the extra experience of these Madrid players at this stage of the Champions League be the difference this evening?
The players are now making their way out onto the pitch at the Emirates with a sea of red and white in the crowd.
07:55 PM BST
Kick-off approaching
Real Madrid have faced seven English sides in the Champions and they have beaten them all… except Arsenal. Can Mikel Arteta’s men continue that run this evening?
The players are in the tunnel and kick-off is just five minutes away now.
07:53 PM BST
Longevity
2006 – Luka Modric’s first appearance at the Emirates – on 23 August 2006 for Dinamo Zagreb against Arsenal in a UEFA Champions League qualifier – was 34 days before Myles Lewis-Skelly was born, who he will be facing tonight. Longevity. pic.twitter.com/TLbcbtJTP2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2025
07:52 PM BST
Players on yellows
There are a total of seven players across both sides on yellow cards who will miss the second leg if they are booked tonight.
Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice for Arsenal, and Antonio Rudiger (shock, horror), Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga for Real Madrid.
07:50 PM BST
Atmosphere building
There’s a lot of people inside the Emirates already. The Real Madrid end is full with fans waving scarves above their heads and the home stands are filling fast in anticipation of the pre-match light show.
Robert Pires has just been introduced to the crowd and Thierry Henry is on the side of the pitch working for television.
07:48 PM BST
Odegaard: ‘We’re ready’
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has said: “Very excited. It’s a massive game. Great place to play it in front of a lot of people. I can’t wait.
“It’s a massive game for everyone at the club and we’re ready. It’s a massive test but we feel ready. We’re going to go for it and hopefully we’ll make it happen”
07:45 PM BST
Final preparations
07:42 PM BST
Arsenal put goal troubles aside for PSV tie
After failing to score in successive Premier League matches against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, Arsenal then scored seven away at PSV in the first leg of the last 16.
Six different players got on the scoresheet as the north London side all but wrapped up the tie before the second leg in which they drew 2-2 at the Emirates.
07:38 PM BST
Madrid’s last 16 controversy
Real Madrid reached the quarter-finals after beating local rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in the last 16.
There was a heap of controversy around the shoot-out though after Julian Alvarez’s spot-kick was ruled out by VAR for a dubious double-touch.
07:35 PM BST
Elsewhere this evening
On the other side of the draw, Bayern Munich are hosting Inter Milan in a repeat of the 2010 Champions League final where Jose Mourinho’s Inter side ran out 2-0 winners.
The winner of that tie will take on either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund who meet in the Spanish City tomorrow evening.
07:30 PM BST
At stake for the winner of this tie
The winner of this quarter-final tie will take on either Paris-Saint Germain or Aston Villa who meet for their first leg tomorrow evening at the Parc des Princes.
With their second leg taking place next Tuesday, Arsenal and Real Madrid will know who is waiting for them when they meet at the Bernabeu next week.
07:27 PM BST
Odegaard has point to prove against Madrid
A decade has now passed since Arsenal captain Martin Odegaaard signed for Real Madrid at the age of 16.
Sam Dean has looked at how the midfielder has point to prove this evening after being given little chance to succeed at Bernabeu.
Read the full story here.
07:23 PM BST
When’s the second leg?
The second leg at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium takes place next Wednesday 16 April at 8pm BST.
07:21 PM BST
Arsenal solid in Europe
Arsenal have led for longer than any other team in Champions League matches this season, while only Inter have trailed for fewer minutes.
Mikel Arteta’s side rank first in this season’s competition for xG against per game (0.88), and again it’s only Inter (0.2) who have conceded fewer goals per game (0.6).
07:17 PM BST
Mbappe’s joy against English sides
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has scored 10 goals in 16 games against English teams in the Uefa Champions League.
Four of which came this season against Manchester City across their two-legged play-off tie, with the Frenchman bagging a hat-trick in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
07:12 PM BST
Mixed bag from Arsenal
Despite avoiding defeat in their last seven games in all competitions, Arsenal’s form is mixed coming into this evening having drawn on four occasions in that time.
The most recent of which came on the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Everton.
Arteta’s men have been defensively solid once again this season, conceding the fewest amount of goals in the Premier League, but have struggled for goals as of late.
However, with central defender Gabriel now out for the season as key forward Buakyo Saka returns, may we see a swing in these trends?
07:07 PM BST
Another milestone for Lewis-Skelly
What a season this has been for young Myles Lewis-Skelly, who only made his Arsenal debut in September but is now established as an important player for club and country.
Tonight, he becomes the second English player to start a Champions League quarter-final aged 18 or younger. The first was Jude Bellingham.
07:04 PM BST
Big names in the building
07:00 PM BST
Madrid’s shaky form
Real Madrid come into this evening’s tie on the back of an unconvincing run of games, in which they have conceded eight times in three games, all at the Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dealt a blow in the title race on the weekend as a 95th-minute winner saw Valencia win 2-1 away at the defending La Liga champions.
This came following Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, in which they shipped four goals against Real Sociedad and needed extra-time to progress, and their home tie against relegation-threatened Leganes, who managed to find the net twice.
Worrying signs perhaps for Ancelotti but then again, it’s Madrid in the Champions League so does any of this matter?
06:55 PM BST
Arteta calls for player to ‘build our own story’
Mikel Arteta has told his players to “build our own story” in the Champions League as they prepare to face European giants Real Madrid on the biggest night of Arsenal’s season.
Arteta has issued a rallying cry to the Emirates Stadium supporters, demanding that fans “play the game with us” against Madrid, as the Arsenal manager acknowledged that his club has produced “nothing” of note in European competitions in recent years.
Arsenal’s men have never won the Champions League and have not reached the semi-finals of the competition since 2009.
“There is a massive gap there, for so many years when nothing has happened in this football club in relation to European competitions,” said Arteta. “We need to change that. And we need to change that quickly.
“[This sort of match] is why I came into football, that’s why I came into management and especially to this football club. It’s been 20 years since we had this type of game and for us, it’s a great opportunity to build our own story. This is what we’re here for.
“We are going to put in all the ingredients, everything that is in our hands, to play the game that we want and to take the game in the direction that we want. In order to achieve that, we’re going to need our people playing every single ball with us.
“That’s going to make a huge difference. At these stages, you need your home stadium to create a very special atmosphere to generate momentum. I encourage everybody to go there tomorrow to play the game with us. Not to be there watching it, but to play the game with us.”
06:50 PM BST
Those teams in full
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Timber, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Subs: Gower, White, Neto, Setford, Nwaneri, Tierney, Trossard, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asenio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.
Subs: Gonzalez, Mestre, Guler, Endrick, Lucas V, Vallejo, Fran Garcia, Brahim, Gonzalo, Jacobo, Chema, Lorenzo.
06:46 PM BST
Arteta makes five changes
Mikel Arteta has made five changes to the Arsenal side which started in the draw at Everton on the weekend as Timber replaces White while Partey, Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli also come into the team. Merino starts up front.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🧱 Kiwior partners Saliba
⚓️ Rice in the middle
🔙 Saka returns to the starting XILet’s make it happen, Gunners 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 8, 2025
06:43 PM BST
Five changes for Real Madrid
There are five changes to the Real Madrid team which were beaten at home by Valencia on the weekend as Courtois, Asencio, Alaba, Camavinga and Rodrygo come into the side.
📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Arsenalpic.twitter.com/KG7lY8g4bO— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 8, 2025
06:39 PM BST
The stage is set
06:35 PM BST
Key injury news
Mikel Merino was spotted pulling up in the warm-up before Arsenal’s match against Everton before requiring treatment following a clash of heads during the game, but Mikel Arteta confirmed this week he was “fine”.
Riccardo Calafiori’s return date from his knee injury remains unknown while Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are set to miss the rest of the season with all three requiring surgery for their respective injuries.
There is some positive news for Arsenal fans though with Arteta confirming in the week that Jurrien Timber and Ben White would be fit enough to start this evening, despite respective knee issues.
Madrid were optimistic of Thibaut Courtois being fit for this evening despite an ongoing knee issue and he does start for the Spanish side.
Aurelien Tchouameni misses out after picking up his third yellow of the campaign against Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are out with muscle issues, while Dani Carjaval and Eder Militao remain sidelined with long-term issues.
06:30 PM BST
Preview: Arsenal host Madrid in quarter-final first leg
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the first leg of the Uefa Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. With their Premier League title chances all but over, Mikel Arteta’s men now rest their hopes of silverware this season on Europe’s elite competition. They are looking to reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since the 2008/09 campaign, as they take on a side who have lifted the trophy on six occasions in that time.
Madrid have had a somewhat disappointing campaign, appearing to regress since last season’s Champions League and La Liga double, despite the summer arrival of Kylian Mbappe. However, the 15-time European champions remain one of the favourites to retain their crown, having developed a habit in the last decade to continually turn up on the biggest of European stages, irrespective of their current form.
It is Arsenal who have enjoyed a more convincing Champions League campaign this time around, though, finishing third in the league phase and conceding just three goals in the process before putting nine goals past PSV in the last 16. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were forced to navigate the play-offs after finishing 11th in the league phase but have stepped up since, with an Mbappe hat-trick helping to dispatch Manchester City before they knocked out local rivals Atletico Madrid via a penalty shootout in the last 16.
Arsenal’s chances against the Spanish giants were dealt a blow in their recent Premier League win against Fulham as central defender Gabriel went off with what is likely to be a season-ending hamstring injury. Arteta’s side did, however, receive a seismic boost in the same game as Bukayo Saka returned following 101 days on the sidelines with a hamstring injury of his own and got on the scoresheet just seven minutes after coming off the bench.
The two sides have met just twice before, in the last 16 of the Champions League during the 2005/06 campaign. It was the English side who came out on top with a 1-0 victory away at the Bernabeu in the first leg before holding Madrid to a goalless draw at Highbury. Should Arsenal repeat the heroics of that season, in not only beating the Spanish side but reaching the semi-finals, they will take on either Aston Villa or Paris-Saint Germain in the last four.
Bend it like Declan. Have we ever seen two such stunning free-kicks at the Emirates? Have we, in fact, seen anything like them in the Champions League? And has this stadium ever had a night like this?
Declan Rice scored twice and Arsenal shocked Real Madrid to take a three-goal lead to Spain next week for the second leg of this quarter-final.
Is it over? It never feels over with Real but it will take a monumental effort and an equally dramatic capitulation to turn this around. Only three times before has a three-goal deficit been reversed in this competition.
“Never forget – 90 minutes at the Bernabéu are molto longo” declared the Spanish newspaper Marca. Those last two words need no translation, but Arsenal have given themselves every chance to make it not such a long night next Wednesday.
For Rice, it was the midfielder’s arrival on the world stage – if he needed that – with his goals capping a towering performance. It was one for the ages from the 26-year-old.
“We got him half-price,” sang the ecstatic, almost disbelieving Arsenal fans of their £105 million record signing and, frankly, they were right. He eclipsed the the 15-time champions and competition holders.
To think Rice had never even scored a direct free-kick before. Here were two of the very best we have ever seen – from fully 29 and almost 28 yards and against the best goalkeeper in the world in Thibaut Courtois, who never got his 6ft 7in frame close to either effort.
Declan Rice hit TWO worldie free-kicks vs Real Madrid 🤯
So nice he did it twice ✌️ pic.twitter.com/zg5CzlQQNh
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
“My phone has gone crazy. I’ve not had a message from David Beckham – I am not lucky enough to have his number!” Rice later said and they were strikes that the former Real midfielder would have been proud of. Beckham-esque, indeed. Rice can expect a text.
It was the fifth time in the history of this competition – after Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Hakim Ziyech – that a player had scored two free-kicks in one game. But two as good as these? Surely not. At the final whistle, The Angel rang around the stadium as the Arsenal fans held their scarves aloft. Rice’s goals were heaven-sent.
Mikel Arteta had talked about Arsenal building their own story and it was Rice who shaped the plot, gained the credits and authored it, with Bukayo Saka his thrilling writing partner. To think Rice has been criticised by pundits such as Graeme Souness for not scoring enough. Maybe they have a point. But pick those ones out.
There was a crackle in the air, the kind that only comes with big European nights, a mix of hope and expectation and a little trepidation. An imploring banner which read: “Make It Happen.”
Rice did just that. With a lot of help from Saka, who throughout the first half had provided the threat, up against 32-year-old David Alaba, with his history of injury and his left leg strapped, who simply could not cope against the fit-again winger. In a match-up with Vinicius Junior, it was emphatically Saka who came out on top, just as Rice bested his England team-mate Jude Bellingham.
Even so, the frustration of going in at half-time goalless was clear. Yes, Real had been dangerous on the counter-attack and maybe it would have been different had Kylian Mbappé scored when Bellingham sent him through. However, the real threat came not from Real, but from Arsenal, although it felt they might again rue the absence of a finisher such as Thierry Henry – who memorably scored the winning goal the last time these two sides had met in the Champions League in 2006, when Arsenal went on to reach the final. This time Henry was working for TV.
That was Arsenal’s only appearance in the final but, suddenly, the prospect of a semi-final against Paris St-Germain – whom they beat in the group stage, but are a different prospect now – or Aston Villa – coached by cup specialist Unai Emery, Arsenal’s former manager – is in sight. Tantalisingly close, but they are not there yet.
Here the message had to be: give it to Saka. And so, he earned both free-kicks, drawing panicky fouls, from which Rice struck. Courtois had been keeping Arsenal out. He had saved Rice’s header and reacted quickly to beat out Gabriel Martinelli’s follow-up. But he could not stop Rice’s strike as the midfielder stepped up and whipped the ball around the defensive wall with power, pace and precision. Courtois had no chance and both William Saliba and Martin Odegaard held their heads in celebration.
While every other Arsenal player was running to celebrate with Declan Rice after his second free-kick, Martin Odegaard just stood in disbelief 😅 pic.twitter.com/MfpK9mno47
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
There was a surge throughout the stadium and it pulsed even more on the pitch as Arsenal poured forward. Once more Courtois denied them as he turned away another Martinelli effort, with Alaba blocking Mikel Merino’s follow-up on the line before Courtois denied the makeshift No 9. Soon after, Bellingham stopped a goal-bound Rice shot.
But he would not be denied. Arguably his second free-kick was even better than the first. This time he hammered another curling effort high into the top corner. The placement of the Real defensive wall was bizarre, but Rice’s shot was so accurate it felt unstoppable.
Real were falling apart. On the touchline Carlo Ancelotti looked as taken aback as his players. Even so, was two goals enough?
Two became three, though, when Rice drove forward and the impressive Myles Lewis-Skelly teed up Merino, who swept home first time.
MIKEL MERINO MAKES IT THREE 😱
Arsenal are living the dream at the Emirates#UCLonPrimepic.twitter.com/QrO3lDFxSs
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
Maybe a late goal from Real might have changed the momentum. Instead they could not cope and their evening was summed up when the influential Eduardo Camavinga was dismissed in stoppage time, ruling him out of the return leg. Arsenal’s lead feels significant.
10:53 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Arsenal’s incredible 3-0 victory over Real Madrid to an end.
Two sensational Declan Rice free-kicks and a Mikel Merino strike have given Mikel Arteta’s men a huge advantage going into next week’s second leg at the Bernabeu.
Thanks for joining us!
10:51 PM BST
Will Arteta ask Guardiola for advice?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on whether he will ask Pep Guardiola for advice against Real Madrid: “He’s had a lot of situations like that, coming into this I wanted to talk to him. He’s someone who admires the good things we’ve done.
“It’s important to learn from the best, he’s a very intelligent person and I’ve had the good fortune to work with someone like that.”
10:50 PM BST
Arteta: Atmosphere and magic moments won the game
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said: “I’m very proud. We had a very complete performance, and we did what we had to do to win that game.
“It’s about two things. The atmosphere, which was like I’ve never seen even 15 minutes before kick-off. And then the second is magic moments.
“And Declan’s free-kicks sum it up.”
Arteta added: “I was very convinced [this could happen]. I could sense in the build-up we could create a lot of problems.
“But you have to make it happen. If you have that mindset and belief it can happen, you can deliver it. We did that but it’s only half-time.”
On Rice and Saka going off, he said: “Declan and Saka both have knocks. They don’t look serious though.”
10:48 PM BST
Ancelotti: Performance was ‘disappointing and poor’
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti, has said:“It’s been very difficult for us. We thought the team were strong coming into the game, in the first half we were organised.
“Then after the two goals we conceded from free-kicks, the team struggled mentally and physically. The level dropped.
“It was difficult, it was finishing the game in that way. Normally this team raise their game towards the end of games, it was disappointing and poor.
“We have to be critical of ourselves here and do everything we can next week to recover.”
10:41 PM BST
Bellingham: ‘Arsenal could have had way more’
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham said: “We were nowhere near it. That’s the fact and Arsenal were really good. I know two of their goals were free-kicks but they could have had way more.
“There is a second leg and that’s what we’re holding on to. We need something really special, something crazy really but one place where crazy things happen is our house. 90 more minutes at home to pull something out of the bag.
“They’re two great pieces of individual quality and if it wasn’t for them, they still have other chances. We got punished and that happens at top-level football.
“In these games, you need to create more. Very rarely do you come to a place like this score one goal and take your lead back home. They reacted really well to the transition. We didn’t do enough on the ball to threaten.
“We’re still alive, we’ve got 90 mins of football and anything can happen at the Bernabeu.”
10:38 PM BST
Rice: ‘I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight’
Watching Arsenal’s set-piece coach celebrate, Declan Rice joked: “He’s claiming for it but he’s told me to cross it!”
On his second free-kick, he said: “It looks far out, you don’t even realise. Do you know what. We were going to touch and set it. Me and Martin [Odegaard]. But Mbappe was kind of stuck too close.
“But then I thought I’ve got the keeper’s side, I practice this so much, I was going to go for it. I had the confidence from the first one. If it went over the bar it wouldn’t matter.
“I don’t think it’s going to hit me what I’ve done tonight. It’s a historical night, and to score two goals against Real Madrid.
“We want to win this competition. But we have to take it one game at a time.
“Even at West Ham and ever since I’ve been here everyone’s been telling me to shoot more. It’s these little things and you’ve got to be in that mindset to score goals. I do have the ability to do it, but it’s a confidence thing.
“I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. I’m delighted.”
10:35 PM BST
Bellingham brief with Rice
10:32 PM BST
‘Not even Superman would get it’, Seedorf on Rice free-kick
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Clarence Seedorf said: “Rice read it well, he saw the space, Courtois put the wall badly, only four players, too much space, but you still need to hit it well.
“Credit to him to read it and take advantage. The confidence he had from the free-kick a moment before, where he put that ball, not even Superman would get it.
10:29 PM BST
‘It didn’t make sense to cross’, Rice on first free-kick
Arsenal goalscorer Declan Rice to Amazon Prime:“I don’t know whether it will ever sink in. I’ve gone back to my phone then and it’s gone crazy. To score my first free-kick in a game is a special one. And then when I got the second one. I just had the confidence. I’m speechless really.
“To beat Real Madrid in this competition. It’s a big night for us.
“The manager just said that then. Even if we’re 3-0 up the individual quality they have is scary. At the Bernabeu special things happen for them. We want to be in the Champions League semi-finals.”
Has David Beckham texted him?: “I’m not lucky enough to have his number. I’m just so happy.”
On his first free-kick, he said: “We were saying to cross it. When they were over a little bit we saw the space Bukayo said if you feel it, go for it. I thought I’m going to take this.
“When you score a goal it’s the best feeling in the world. It didn’t make sense from that angle to cross the ball. It would have to be a delicate pass. And when I saw the wall. It didn’t make sense to cross. You know what, I’m happy I took it because it was magic.”
10:26 PM BST
History-maker
2 – Declan Rice is the first player to score two direct free kick goals in a knockout stage match in the UEFA Champions League. Precision. pic.twitter.com/loLhfmZ7sX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2025
10:24 PM BST
Fabregas not writing off Madrid
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Cesc Fabregas said: “I’d love to say it’s over. But after the first goal I said they needed a second and after the second they needed a third.
“But Real Madrid are Real Madrid.”
10:21 PM BST
Premier League earn fifth spot
That Arsenal win now means fifth place in the Premier League will guarantee Champions League football for next season.
10:19 PM BST
Rooney: ‘Technically Rice is fantastic’
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Wayne Rooney said: “He’s [Declan Rice] had that in his game.
“Technically he’s fantastic. Tonight he got that first free-kick. For that second free-kick there was only one person taking it. And it was incredible.
10:18 PM BST
Merino ‘not surprised’ by Rice free-kicks
Arsenal’s Mikel Merino talking to Amazon Prime: “We were talking in the dressing room about keeping the pace and tempo, obviously with the help of the crowd on our side. The second half was amazing, we played with full gas from the side. When this side plays like that the crowd go with us.”
On Declan Rice’s free-kicks: “We had a few free-kicks in the past week that we didn’t score. He has one of the best shooting abilities that I’ve seen in my career. I’m not surprised, maybe you are. Hopefully more will come in the future.”
10:16 PM BST
Rice: ‘In a few years time this will really hit me’
Speaking to Amazon Prime, goalscorer Declan Rice said: “That’s been the message from the manager. That was the message since the weekend. We need to be super convinced we can come and win this game. As a group we were really convinced. We needed to score in the second half.”
On his free-kicks, he said: “It’s been in the locker, but I’ve hit the wall too many times or it’s gone over the bar. Originally we were going to cross it and then I’ve just seen the wall and the goalkeeper’s position. So I thought just go for it. And Bukayo [Saka] said to just feel it.
“The second one I had the confidence. I hit it. It’s not going to hit me now because there’s another leg to go. I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m over the moon. But in a few years time this will really hit me that what I’ve done tonight was really special.
”[Bukayo Saka] Look, to come back in the time he has done is unbelievable. He’s a top guy. We need to be ready for next week. The Bernabeu, what it’s like to play there. We need to be ready.”
10:14 PM BST
The story behind Declan Rice’s two sensational free-kicks
Tonight’s game was decided by the magic of Declan Rice’s free-kicks. Take a look at Telegraph Sport’s detailed analysis of the set pieces.
10:12 PM BST
Player ratings
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice shone tonight as Madrid’s attackers struggled. Take a look at Telegraph Sport’s full player ratings.
10:08 PM BST
Elsewhere this evening
Inter Milan took a huge step towards reaching the semi-finals after beating Bayern Munich 2-1 at the Allianz Arena.
Thomas Muller cancelled out Lautaro Martinez’s opener in the 85th minute but Davide Frattesi restored the lead just three minutes later to give the Italians a lead to take back to the San Siro next week.
10:06 PM BST
The universal reaction to Rice’s free-kicks
10:02 PM BST
Shearer: ‘It’s what they deserved’
Speaking on Amazon Prime, Alan Shearer said: “Three really incredible goals. It’s what they’ve deserved this evening.
“The crowd got them going at the beginning, the players continued it in the second half. And what a chance they’ve given themselves.”
09:56 PM BST
Full time: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal close out the remainder of stoppage time and the full-time whistle blows on a historic evening for Mikel Arteta’s men.
What an incredible victory that sets them up superbly to reach the semi-finals ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg at the Bernabeu.
It was a superb second-half performance from the hosts with Declan Rice producing two sensational free-kicks before Mikel Merino added a clinical third.
09:55 PM BST
RED CARD! Camavinga given second yellow for kicking the ball away
Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0 Mbappe picks the ball up in a promising position on the edge of the box and cuts back and forth looking for room for the shot but Arsenal close the angles down well.
Madrid give the foul away as Arsenal look to break and Camavinga just boots the ball away already on a yellow card and he is dismissed. How silly is that? He was already missing the second leg but either way a nonsensical decision.
09:51 PM BST
90+1 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Madrid really have offered very little in this second half. Arsenal have done wonderfully to nullify their star men in attack.
Vinicius does burst into life though, cutting inside from the left but Timber tracks him well and blocks his effort that deflects into the arms of Raya. That is Timber’s last involvement as he is replaced by White for the closing stages.
There will be four minutes added on at the end here.
09:47 PM BST
88 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Merino has now scored four goals against Madrid in his career. That’s his biggest tally against any side whilst playing in Europe’s top five leagues across all competitions.
Partey gives the ball away with a sloppy pass in a dangerous position midfield but recovers well with a sliding challenge.
09:44 PM BST
85 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal win the corner down their right but again Courtois is dominant as he punches away before Tierney fouls Rodrygo on the edge of the box.
There will be another change from Ancelotti now, bringing on Diaz in place of Rodrygo.
09:42 PM BST
83 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
It is crucial for Arsenal to keep their heads here and ensure they close the clean sheet out. Madrid will be more than confident of overturning a two-goal deficit at the Bernabeu.
Rice’s first free-kick tonight was the first he has scored in his career. What a moment to step up with a couple.
Tierney does well to deal with Rodrygo and wins the free-kick as he shepherds the ball out of play.
09:40 PM BST
80 mins: Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0
Bellingham tugs Odegaard back on two occasions as the Arsenal man brings the ball away and while the free-kick is given, he is very fortunate to avoid the yellow.
Before play can resume Rice is down and receiving treatment. Not what Arteta wants to be seeing. He is back on his feet but will be making way for Tierney. What a reception he is getting from the Emirates and rightly so.
Meanwhile Garcia is on for Alaba.
09:37 PM BST
GOAL! Merino adds a third for Arsenal
Arsenal 3 Real Madrid 0 (Merino) Arsenal are running riot! Rice drives down the home side’s left and feeds Trossard towards the byline.
The ball is played back to Lewis-Skelly who lays it across to Merino on the edge of the box and the Spaniard sweeps a superb strike into the bottom left corner.
That was great technique from the Arsenal man who was going away from goal as he struck that.
09:34 PM BST
74 mins: Arsenal 2 Real Madrid 0
That was Saka’s final involvement of the evening as he is replaced by Trossard.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the Arsenal celebrations Modric was replaced for Madrid.
09:33 PM BST
Speechless
Erm….
09:32 PM BST
GOAL! Rice scores a second sensational free-kick
Arsenal 2 Real Madrid 0 (Rice) I don’t believe this, that is simply sensational. Once again Saka wins the foul on the edge of the box and once again it’s Rice who steps up, this time just to the left of centre.
This one is even better as Rice wraps an outrageous strike into the top right corner, with Courtois stepping the other way, to double Arsenal’s lead. Delirium at the Emirates.
DECLAN RICE HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🤯
Another excellent free kick puts Arsenal up 2-0 at the Emirates#UCLonPrimepic.twitter.com/xXezgRvfJq
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
09:28 PM BST
68 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
Wow… Incredible defending from Madrid. Martinelli is slipped into the left of the box and forces a smart save from Courtois with a powerful left-footed strike across goal.
The ball drops to Merino and his volley is cleared off the line by Alaba but it falls back at the Arsenal man but, again, he is denied, this time by a superb reaction stop by Courtois.
From the resulting corner, the ball lands at the feet of Rice, just inside the area. He looks to curl one into the bottom left corner but it’s cleared off the line by Bellingham.
09:26 PM BST
Madrid mistake in the wall?
Real Madrid only put 4 players in their wall for that Declan Rice free-kick 👀💫 pic.twitter.com/37TdyGbYzI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
09:25 PM BST
64 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
Saka wins the corner down the right and the Emirates can sense a second goal here as the big men come trotting forward. Courtois claims superbly though and takes the fizz out of that moment.
09:21 PM BST
61 mins: Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0
You have to say, that is thoroughly deserved the home side. Can they build on this now? You feel they would like a two-goal cushion heading to the Bernabeu.
Madrid look for the instant response as they win the corner down their left. Bellingham pulls of an audacious scorpion-like volley but it’s straight into the arms of Raya.
09:19 PM BST
GOAL! Rice breaks the deadlock with incredible free-kick
Arsenal 1 Real Madrid 0 (Rice) Wow! Rice steps up for the free-kick, slightly to the right of centre and about 29 yards out and my word does he hit it well.
The England man curls it sensationally around the wall and it creeps in, just inside the right post. The Emirates erupts!
Bend it like Rice 🔥#UCLonPrimepic.twitter.com/yuhrSzp7AB
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
09:17 PM BST
57 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Rice plays a clever give-and-go and looks set to take aim from inside the box but Asencio is in well to make the challenge and the ball pings away for an Arsenal throw-in.
Saka cuts inside and is tripped by Alaba on the edge of the box. The free-kick is given and there are more ironic cheers from the home fans. A great position for the hosts.
09:14 PM BST
55 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Partey is the first player into the book for shoulder-barging Camavinga and connecting with his face after the Frenchman had played a pass around him.
Madrid soon settle back into their low block as Arsenal’s defenders knock the ball around, probing for a gap. It’s very much a 4-4-2 for Madrid out of possession.
09:12 PM BST
No penalty, says Hackett
Some talk at half-time from Amazon pundit Daniel Sturridge that it could have been handball when Declan Rice’s point-blank strike hit Marco Asensio’s hand.
Not so according to Telegraph Sport refereeing expert Keith Hackett who said: “I do not understand why VAR even intervened. There is no way that it was a deliberate handball.
“The distance and is minimal and the Real Madrid player’s arm was in a natural position. It does not fulfil the criteria of a clear and obvious error – and was simply the result of an over-indulgent VAR.”
09:11 PM BST
52 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Mbappe is fed into the left of the box by a clever pass round the corner from Bellingham and manages to shift the ball onto his left foot but crashes his strike against the side-netting.
09:09 PM BST
50 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
It’s been a fairly low-key start to this second period with Arsenal enjoying a lengthy spell of possession before eventually coming forward but Martinelli spoons his cross out for a goal-kick.
Courtois takes his time over the goal-kick and is told to hurry up the referee. A sign of things to come from the visitors perhaps.
09:07 PM BST
Class from Carlo
Carlo proving he’s still got it aged 65 by doing a few keepy-uppies on the touchline when the ball was kicked out towards him. Bellingham looked impressed.
09:04 PM BST
46 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Real Madrid are back out on the pitch a couple of minutes after the hosts but eventually we are back underway at the Emirates with Arsenal and Odegaard kicking things off going from right to left. Can either side find the breakthrough?
09:00 PM BST
Arsenal’s missing link
Strap yourselves in for a hot football take…I think Arsenal would be leading now if they had a striker. A couple of those Bukayo Saka crosses were just waiting to be turned into the net.
08:58 PM BST
Saka causing problems
08:56 PM BST
Elsewhere this evening
Inter Milan have taken the lead away at Bayern Munich thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s sensational outside-of-the-foot strike.
08:55 PM BST
Arsenal knocking on the door
Arsenal had four shots on target in the first half, their most without scoring in the opening 45 minutes of a Champions League knockout game on record.
08:48 PM BST
Half-time: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Following two minutes of added time, in which the highlight was Camavinga blazing over from range, the half-time whistle brings a thoroughly entertaining opening period to an end.
Both sides have had chances but it’s all-square at the interval.
08:47 PM BST
45 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Those home frustrations turn into ironic jeers when Arsenal get awarded a throw-in that could have gone either way.
Arsenal come forward and Timber swings in a wonderful cross that finds Rice but Courtois is down well to keep the header out of the bottom left corner before getting up to deny Martinelli on the rebound. Wonderful stuff from the Madrid keeper.
08:42 PM BST
Tonight’s referee
Just a note on tonight’s referee Irfan Peljo from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He’s one of Uefa’s elite category officials, but does not have a big track record. He only refereed his first-ever Champions League knock-out game in February last year. He’s not dropped any howlers yet, but the home fans have been frustrated with a few Real Madrid challenges he has let go.
08:41 PM BST
41 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Saka and Odegaard combine nicely doewn Arsenal’s right and the winger gets another low ball across the box but this one is slightly behind the arriving forwards. Madrid are struggling to cope with Saka.
08:40 PM BST
Mbappe terrifying the Arsenal defence
Mbappe has not properly hurt Arsenal yet but the sharpness of his movement is terrifying the home defence (and the home crowd). Everything just seems to happen a split-second quicker when he’s involved in the game.
08:39 PM BST
38 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
For what feels like the first time in the match so far, things just slow down for a moment and Madrid enjoy a spell of possession.
But Arsenal win it back and what a chance! Saka receives the ball down the right and beats Bellingham on the outside. He plays a sensational ball across the face of goal but no-one is there and it just runs all the way across. It was just begging for a touch!
Has anyone suggested that Arsenal could do with an out-and-out centre forward?
08:36 PM BST
35 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Madrid flicks the ball over Odegaard’s head before skipping past Partey but then catches Merino on the edge of the box to give away the foul. The Frenchman is becoming more and more involved in the game now, though.
Arsenal have started well but their players do look slightly nervey on the ball with things not quite clicking as they usually do. You can tell it’s an enormous game for them.
08:33 PM BST
32 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Bellingham gets the better of Timber on Madrid’s left and slides a perfectly-weighted ball into the left channel for Mbappe to latch onto.
The striker drives into the box and looks to curl one into the bottom right corner but doesn’t start the effort wide enough and it ends up straight at Raya who parries away.
08:30 PM BST
30 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Timber is back on now and looking like he’ll be able to continue. Perhaps just a sore knock rather than anything lasting.
Lewis-Skelly steps up inside once again and picks up a clever pocket but gets his pass wrong this time as he plays on the outside of Saka, who was making the run inside. He has started really well though.
08:29 PM BST
Arteta in conversation with Odegaard
The break in play for Jurien Timber’s injury allowed Mikel Arteta to call over Martin Odegaard for a long chat. The former Real Madrid player has started the game relatively well, but Arteta obviously saw something he needed to communicate to him.
08:28 PM BST
26 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Kiwior plays a loose pass that puts Saliba in trouble and the Frenchman has to slide in to deal with it. The ball lands with Vinicius though and he slides Mbappe in on goal but the striker blazes over. The flag was up but a let-off again for Kiwior nonetheless.
Timber looks to have been caught by Mbappe as he attempted to block the strike and is in some pain. He is receiving some treatment but looks like he might be able to continue as he gets to his feet.
08:24 PM BST
23 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Madrid break well and the ball is worked to Vinicus in the left of a crowded box. The winger composes himself before looking to place one in the bottom right corner but it drifts just wide.
When Arsenal have the ball, Merino is dropping into midfield while Lewis-Skelly is also stepping inside meaning the home side essentially have five central midfielders. You feel Rudiger would rather have a centre-forward playing on his toes.
08:22 PM BST
21 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Lewis-Skelly brings the ball under control before holding off a couple of challenges and sliding a dangerous ball in behind for Martinelli. Asencio sweeps up superbly with a well-timed sliding challenge but Arsenal’s youngster doesn’t look phased!
The left-back plays another superb pass into Merino’s feet before Rice is brought down on the edge of the box but the referee waves play on. Moments later and Odegaard is pushed to the floor and somehow there is no free-kick once again. Two very harsh calls for the home side.
08:19 PM BST
19 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Arsenal are pressing Madrid well here and think they have earned a throw-in high up in the visitors’ half but the call goes against them and the Emirates isn’t happy.
Odegaard then gives away the foul as he puts the pressure on Modric. It’s been a really positive start from Arsenal though.
08:17 PM BST
17 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Madrid break down the other end and win a corner but before it’s taken there is a VAR check for an Arsenal penalty. They are checking whether Asencio’s block on Rice’s previous effort was with his hand. It probably was but his arm was close to his body and it was from such close-range.
After a few replays, the decision is no-penalty. The right call but a strange one to check for so long. Raya does well to punch away the following corner when play resumes.
08:15 PM BST
15 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Odegaard plays a delightful scoop-turn pass inside to Timber who looks to drive to the by-line past Camavinga. The Arsenal full-back goes down but is – correctly – told to get to his feet.
Another good chance for Arsenal now. Martinelli beats Valverde on the outside before playing a low ball across the six-yard box. Rice’s volley at the near post is blocked and the ball lands with Merino, who tees up Partey on the edge of the box, but his low side-footed strike is too close to Courtois. He had plenty of time to pick his spot.
08:11 PM BST
11 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
On second look at that Arsenal corner, it looks as if Saliba cleared Partey’s flicked header off the line preventing an Arsenal opener! There wasn’t much he could do about it in fairness but what a chance.
Madrid’s game-plan is very clear in these opening stages – happy to sit in and wait for the Arsenal error to break through Vinicius Junior and Mbappe. There’s been early signs it may a good one.
08:09 PM BST
8 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
That was nearly a disaster for Madrid! Saka works the room in the right of the area to deliver a low ball across the six-yard box. It’s a tame one really but Rudiger directs his clearance straight into Camavinga and the ball deflects inches wide of the post.
Courtois flaps over the corner from Saka before Madrid scramble away the winger’s second set-piece. The Spanish side certainly don’t look comfortable in those positions.
08:06 PM BST
Restricted viewing from the press box
Two rules when you’re lucky enough to be at a game as a member of the media. Never complain about the free food. And never complain about fans who pay to be there standing up in front of you. So I’m definitely not complaining that it’s quite hard to see the game in these early stages. Fair play to the fans, I’d be on my feet if it was my team too.
08:05 PM BST
5 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
What a waste! Odegaard’s inswinging free-kick is really poor and is volleyed clear by the first man.
Vinicius Junior then intercepts Saka’s slack pass and Madrid can counter. The winger can drive into the Arsenal box before looking for Mbappe with the outside of his foot but Saliba can get in the way of the pass and it deflects back to Raya. A let-off!
08:03 PM BST
3 mins: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
Kiwior misjudges a throw-in and Mbappe has an early chance to let fly but his effort from the edge of the box is comfortable for Raya. Not the ideal start from Arsenal’s deputising centre-back.
Timber pinches it high up down Arsenal’s right and Saka draws the foul from Modric just on the edge of the box. This is a very promising position for the home side.
08:01 PM BST
1 min: Arsenal 0 Real Madrid 0
We are underway at the Emirates with Madrid and Mbappe getting us underway kicking from right to left.
There is a sensational atmosphere in north London this evening. Can the hosts feed off it?
07:58 PM BST
Time for Arsenal to step up
All the pre-match shizz was quite good, to be fair. Now the Arsenal players need to live up to it…
07:57 PM BST
Players out on the pitch
Vinicius Junior is all smiles in the tunnel, looking very relaxed. Will the extra experience of these Madrid players at this stage of the Champions League be the difference this evening?
The players are now making their way out onto the pitch at the Emirates with a sea of red and white in the crowd.
07:55 PM BST
Kick-off approaching
Real Madrid have faced seven English sides in the Champions and they have beaten them all… except Arsenal. Can Mikel Arteta’s men continue that run this evening?
The players are in the tunnel and kick-off is just five minutes away now.
07:53 PM BST
Longevity
2006 – Luka Modric’s first appearance at the Emirates – on 23 August 2006 for Dinamo Zagreb against Arsenal in a UEFA Champions League qualifier – was 34 days before Myles Lewis-Skelly was born, who he will be facing tonight. Longevity. pic.twitter.com/TLbcbtJTP2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2025
07:52 PM BST
Players on yellows
There are a total of seven players across both sides on yellow cards who will miss the second leg if they are booked tonight.
Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice for Arsenal, and Antonio Rudiger (shock, horror), Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior and Eduardo Camavinga for Real Madrid.
07:50 PM BST
Atmosphere building
There’s a lot of people inside the Emirates already. The Real Madrid end is full with fans waving scarves above their heads and the home stands are filling fast in anticipation of the pre-match light show.
Robert Pires has just been introduced to the crowd and Thierry Henry is on the side of the pitch working for television.
07:48 PM BST
Odegaard: ‘We’re ready’
Speaking to Amazon Prime, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has said: “Very excited. It’s a massive game. Great place to play it in front of a lot of people. I can’t wait.
“It’s a massive game for everyone at the club and we’re ready. It’s a massive test but we feel ready. We’re going to go for it and hopefully we’ll make it happen”
07:45 PM BST
Final preparations
07:42 PM BST
Arsenal put goal troubles aside for PSV tie
After failing to score in successive Premier League matches against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest, Arsenal then scored seven away at PSV in the first leg of the last 16.
Six different players got on the scoresheet as the north London side all but wrapped up the tie before the second leg in which they drew 2-2 at the Emirates.
07:38 PM BST
Madrid’s last 16 controversy
Real Madrid reached the quarter-finals after beating local rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in the last 16.
There was a heap of controversy around the shoot-out though after Julian Alvarez’s spot-kick was ruled out by VAR for a dubious double-touch.
07:35 PM BST
Elsewhere this evening
On the other side of the draw, Bayern Munich are hosting Inter Milan in a repeat of the 2010 Champions League final where Jose Mourinho’s Inter side ran out 2-0 winners.
The winner of that tie will take on either Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund who meet in the Spanish City tomorrow evening.
07:30 PM BST
At stake for the winner of this tie
The winner of this quarter-final tie will take on either Paris-Saint Germain or Aston Villa who meet for their first leg tomorrow evening at the Parc des Princes.
With their second leg taking place next Tuesday, Arsenal and Real Madrid will know who is waiting for them when they meet at the Bernabeu next week.
07:27 PM BST
Odegaard has point to prove against Madrid
A decade has now passed since Arsenal captain Martin Odegaaard signed for Real Madrid at the age of 16.
Sam Dean has looked at how the midfielder has point to prove this evening after being given little chance to succeed at Bernabeu.
Read the full story here.
07:23 PM BST
When’s the second leg?
The second leg at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium takes place next Wednesday 16 April at 8pm BST.
07:21 PM BST
Arsenal solid in Europe
Arsenal have led for longer than any other team in Champions League matches this season, while only Inter have trailed for fewer minutes.
Mikel Arteta’s side rank first in this season’s competition for xG against per game (0.88), and again it’s only Inter (0.2) who have conceded fewer goals per game (0.6).
07:17 PM BST
Mbappe’s joy against English sides
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has scored 10 goals in 16 games against English teams in the Uefa Champions League.
Four of which came this season against Manchester City across their two-legged play-off tie, with the Frenchman bagging a hat-trick in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
07:12 PM BST
Mixed bag from Arsenal
Despite avoiding defeat in their last seven games in all competitions, Arsenal’s form is mixed coming into this evening having drawn on four occasions in that time.
The most recent of which came on the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw away at Everton.
Arteta’s men have been defensively solid once again this season, conceding the fewest amount of goals in the Premier League, but have struggled for goals as of late.
However, with central defender Gabriel now out for the season as key forward Buakyo Saka returns, may we see a swing in these trends?
07:07 PM BST
Another milestone for Lewis-Skelly
What a season this has been for young Myles Lewis-Skelly, who only made his Arsenal debut in September but is now established as an important player for club and country.
Tonight, he becomes the second English player to start a Champions League quarter-final aged 18 or younger. The first was Jude Bellingham.
07:04 PM BST
Big names in the building
07:00 PM BST
Madrid’s shaky form
Real Madrid come into this evening’s tie on the back of an unconvincing run of games, in which they have conceded eight times in three games, all at the Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dealt a blow in the title race on the weekend as a 95th-minute winner saw Valencia win 2-1 away at the defending La Liga champions.
This came following Madrid’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, in which they shipped four goals against Real Sociedad and needed extra-time to progress, and their home tie against relegation-threatened Leganes, who managed to find the net twice.
Worrying signs perhaps for Ancelotti but then again, it’s Madrid in the Champions League so does any of this matter?
06:55 PM BST
Arteta calls for player to ‘build our own story’
Mikel Arteta has told his players to “build our own story” in the Champions League as they prepare to face European giants Real Madrid on the biggest night of Arsenal’s season.
Arteta has issued a rallying cry to the Emirates Stadium supporters, demanding that fans “play the game with us” against Madrid, as the Arsenal manager acknowledged that his club has produced “nothing” of note in European competitions in recent years.
Arsenal’s men have never won the Champions League and have not reached the semi-finals of the competition since 2009.
“There is a massive gap there, for so many years when nothing has happened in this football club in relation to European competitions,” said Arteta. “We need to change that. And we need to change that quickly.
“[This sort of match] is why I came into football, that’s why I came into management and especially to this football club. It’s been 20 years since we had this type of game and for us, it’s a great opportunity to build our own story. This is what we’re here for.
“We are going to put in all the ingredients, everything that is in our hands, to play the game that we want and to take the game in the direction that we want. In order to achieve that, we’re going to need our people playing every single ball with us.
“That’s going to make a huge difference. At these stages, you need your home stadium to create a very special atmosphere to generate momentum. I encourage everybody to go there tomorrow to play the game with us. Not to be there watching it, but to play the game with us.”
06:50 PM BST
Those teams in full
Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Timber, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli.
Subs: Gower, White, Neto, Setford, Nwaneri, Tierney, Trossard, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asenio, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.
Subs: Gonzalez, Mestre, Guler, Endrick, Lucas V, Vallejo, Fran Garcia, Brahim, Gonzalo, Jacobo, Chema, Lorenzo.
06:46 PM BST
Arteta makes five changes
Mikel Arteta has made five changes to the Arsenal side which started in the draw at Everton on the weekend as Timber replaces White while Partey, Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli also come into the team. Merino starts up front.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🧱 Kiwior partners Saliba
⚓️ Rice in the middle
🔙 Saka returns to the starting XILet’s make it happen, Gunners 👊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 8, 2025
06:43 PM BST
Five changes for Real Madrid
There are five changes to the Real Madrid team which were beaten at home by Valencia on the weekend as Courtois, Asencio, Alaba, Camavinga and Rodrygo come into the side.
📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Arsenalpic.twitter.com/KG7lY8g4bO— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 8, 2025
06:39 PM BST
The stage is set
06:35 PM BST
Key injury news
Mikel Merino was spotted pulling up in the warm-up before Arsenal’s match against Everton before requiring treatment following a clash of heads during the game, but Mikel Arteta confirmed this week he was “fine”.
Riccardo Calafiori’s return date from his knee injury remains unknown while Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are set to miss the rest of the season with all three requiring surgery for their respective injuries.
There is some positive news for Arsenal fans though with Arteta confirming in the week that Jurrien Timber and Ben White would be fit enough to start this evening, despite respective knee issues.
Madrid were optimistic of Thibaut Courtois being fit for this evening despite an ongoing knee issue and he does start for the Spanish side.
Aurelien Tchouameni misses out after picking up his third yellow of the campaign against Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are out with muscle issues, while Dani Carjaval and Eder Militao remain sidelined with long-term issues.
06:30 PM BST
Preview: Arsenal host Madrid in quarter-final first leg
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the first leg of the Uefa Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. With their Premier League title chances all but over, Mikel Arteta’s men now rest their hopes of silverware this season on Europe’s elite competition. They are looking to reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since the 2008/09 campaign, as they take on a side who have lifted the trophy on six occasions in that time.
Madrid have had a somewhat disappointing campaign, appearing to regress since last season’s Champions League and La Liga double, despite the summer arrival of Kylian Mbappe. However, the 15-time European champions remain one of the favourites to retain their crown, having developed a habit in the last decade to continually turn up on the biggest of European stages, irrespective of their current form.
It is Arsenal who have enjoyed a more convincing Champions League campaign this time around, though, finishing third in the league phase and conceding just three goals in the process before putting nine goals past PSV in the last 16. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were forced to navigate the play-offs after finishing 11th in the league phase but have stepped up since, with an Mbappe hat-trick helping to dispatch Manchester City before they knocked out local rivals Atletico Madrid via a penalty shootout in the last 16.
Arsenal’s chances against the Spanish giants were dealt a blow in their recent Premier League win against Fulham as central defender Gabriel went off with what is likely to be a season-ending hamstring injury. Arteta’s side did, however, receive a seismic boost in the same game as Bukayo Saka returned following 101 days on the sidelines with a hamstring injury of his own and got on the scoresheet just seven minutes after coming off the bench.
The two sides have met just twice before, in the last 16 of the Champions League during the 2005/06 campaign. It was the English side who came out on top with a 1-0 victory away at the Bernabeu in the first leg before holding Madrid to a goalless draw at Highbury. Should Arsenal repeat the heroics of that season, in not only beating the Spanish side but reaching the semi-finals, they will take on either Aston Villa or Paris-Saint Germain in the last four.
