This was the defining moment of Mikel Arteta’s reign at Arsenal. So far, at least. They have knocked out Real Madrid, the 15-time European champions, the holders, the team who boasted they had the aura and the capability to overturn any deficit.
But not this time. No chance. They were well beaten with Arsenal fans even ‘ole-ing’ in the second-half before the shackled Kylian Mbappe was withdrawn to a chorus of “who are you?”
In the Bernabeu, Arsenal bossed it. It was one of their very best European away nights, if not the best. It was up there with Inter Milan in a group game in 2003 and Real, again, in a last-16 tie in 2006 when Arsenal then went on to reach the final. It probably surpassed both given it was a quarter-final.
Real are out and deservedly so and it is Arsenal who will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals and if they perform as they have done over the two legs of this tie it will be a monumental match-up.
Arsenal should fear no-one. Not if they play like this. So why not go on and finally win this thing? They are on the cusp of becoming only the second Arsenal side to reach a European Cup final and may well face Barcelona again in the final in Munich.
Is that getting too far ahead of ourselves? Probably. But Arsenal are on the brink of greatness and should believe. They were told that 90 minutes is a long time – molto longo – at this grand stadium. It was for Real, not them.
For all the bluster and mind-games and gas-lighting Real ran out of ideas and that does not reflect well on their coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose time appears to coming to a close, or their big stars. It was not just Mbappe but Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior who struggled.
The real stars – rather than the Real stars? They were in Arsenal black with the three London boys, in particular, standing out. What a night for Declan Rice. After his free-kicks last Tuesday he had the freedom of the pitch and was simply magnificent.
There had been concerns over whether it might be too much for 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly but he, too, was outstanding and even reduced Real’s Antonio Rudiger into executing a nasty-looking stamp on him.
And then there was Bukayo Saka. The star boy. The only Remontada came from him after he missed a penalty but went on to score.
Once again Saka showed his strength of character as he brushed aside the failed spot-kick, an unwise effort in truth as he attempted to beat Thibaut Courtois with a ‘panenka’ only to allow the goalkeeper to thrust out an arm and turn it away.
BUKAYO SAKA MISSES! ⛔
Real Madrid have a lifeline…
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/1meC2fURLC
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
Bellingham had been in Saka’s ear before the penalty, given after a VAR call for Mikel Merino being pulled back – which was missed by the French referee Francois Letexier – and maybe that put him off. At half-time the injured Dani Carvajal had a go at Saka before he walked down the tunnel.
But Saka was unaffected and, so, he was smartly picked out by Merino – who also had an impressive evening – and lifted the ball beyond Courtois. After failing with a dink, he scored with a dink and cupped his ears to the Real fans in celebration.
ARSENAL HAVE THEIR GOAL! ⚽
Bukayo Saka keeps his composure as he lifts the ball over Courtois 🥶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/RvGxtgl3EB
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
Above all, though, this tie belonged to Arteta who has understandably come in for so much scrutiny this season with Arsenal set to fall short in the Premier League, allowing Liverpool to capitalise on Manchester City’s failings when it was felt his team should be best-placed.
There have even been tentative questions, after five years in charge, as to whether he can actually get them over the line.
But the season is alive. Real have been beaten and Arteta now faces the club he used to play for as a midfielder which adds another dimension to a match-up which requires no hype.
Tactically he got it spot on, over both legs, and that emphatic 5-1 aggregate scoreline was a fair reflection of Arsenal’s dominance. They have also comprehensively beaten PSG already this season, 2-0 back in September. But beware: Luis Enrique’s side have come a long way since then as City and Liverpool will testify and, now, also Aston Villa despite pushing them so hard.
The one drawback? A late yellow card for Thomas Partey who is suspended for the first leg at home to PSG. Given the balance he brings to the midfield – and given the midfield that PSG possess – that is an undoubted blow.
We expected chaos. We expected tumult and drama and controversy. And we got it. There was not just the Saka penalty but one given to Real when Rice was deemed to have pulled back Mbappe. However VAR intervened and after a five-minute delay the decision was over-turned by the referee who cancelled a caution for Rice which would have also ruled him out against PSG.
Instead Mbappe was adjudged to have dived. It was the kind of incident that Real will seize on and claim injustice but that was clutching at straws.
For all the fervour Arsenal were in control. They were creating the chances and the frustration from Real was real. The Saka goal appeared to settle it but then there was terrible mistake from William Saliba – of all people – as he dwelled on the ball on the area’s edge and Vinicius rushed him before firing high into the net.
Vini Jr takes advantage of a mistake at the back and levels the game up ⚽
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/XIzByKBWRS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
What was so admirable was how Arsenal responded to that. For all the immediate noise, the Real fans were quiet as the clock ran down before, in added time, Merino released Gabriel Martinelli who ran from halfway to win the game and give Arsenal their reward. “One of the best nights of my football career,” Arteta said. It was, most gloriously, that.
‘Arsenal ready to compete with anyone’ – Arteta issues warning to rest of Europe
Mikel Arteta warned the rest of Europe that his Arsenal players are “ready to compete with anyone” and go all the way in the Champions League after their stunning dismantling of Real Madrid.
Their triumph set up a mouthwatering semi-final against Paris St-Germain and Arteta said: “I had an inner feeling before the tie, with what the players were transmitting and how prepared I could feel they were, that we are ready to compete against anybody. Now we have to continue to do that, because I think we have some momentum now.
“It is another massive step. It was my first time here [at the Bernabeu] as a coach in that dugout and today I realised after three minutes in that stadium that anything is possible.
“They are specialists of creating such chaos, such belief, and it’s very difficult to understand really what’s going on in the game and have certain certainty about how we control it. But I think the players showed their own maturity.
“It was one of the best nights in my football career. We played against a team with the biggest history. It has been an inspiration for all of us in this competition. To be able to win the tie in the manner we have done, I think we have to be very proud of ourselves.”
Arteta, who revealed that he had spoken to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on the morning of the match, joked that he would have liked to “slap” Bukayo Saka after his chipped penalty was saved in the first half. But he was also full of praise for the England winger’s response to that penalty miss, as Saka scored with a glorious dinked finish after the break.
“Again, he stepped up,” said Arteta of Saka. “He didn’t score [the penalty], obviously. That could be a turning point emotionally in the game because he gave them a lot of belief. But the way he handled the situation, the personality he showed, at his age, in this stadium. Incredible.”
Saka said he believes Arsenal can win the Champions League, adding: “We showed that we can play in Europe and beat one of the best teams in the world, home and away. I am very proud of this team. Tonight was a big statement and I am so happy for everyone.
“We felt comfortable [in the game]. We are quite good when we get into a low block. It took a lot of running but we managed to do it.”
On his penalty, Saka said: “It can happen. I tried something, but it didn’t work. I was confident I was going to score tonight. I learn in every moment. Tonight, I am more focused on enjoying the win and then I will review it properly.”
10:55 PM BST
Arteta on facing PSG next
“I watched the game last night and it was a crazy game.
“I know the manager [Luis Enrique] really well, but let’s enjoy tonight.
“They’re a different team now and they’re on an incredible run at the moment.”
10:52 PM BST
Arteta on Rice’s performance
“Tonight, he was immense. He turned the game around. He was immense today. He made a difference.”
10:51 PM BST
Arteta: ‘One of the best night of my career’
“One of the best nights in my football career.
“We played against a team with the biggest history. It has been an inspiration for all of us on this competition.
“To be able to win the tie in the manner we have done – I think we have to be very proud of ourselves.
“It is very difficult. After two-to-three minutes you realise anything can happen in this stadium.
“Fortunately, a lot of things went for us. Overall, we did what we had to do to win the game.
“The history we have in this competition is so short. The third time in our history of what we have just done and we have to build on that.
“All this experience is going to help us, for sure.”
“We had full belief that we could beat this team and the players did it.”
10:35 PM BST
Rice on playing PSG in the semis
“Top team. We played them once already, but they’re a different team to what they were back then.£
10:24 PM BST
Sam’s verdict from the Bernabeu
10:22 PM BST
More from Rice: ‘This club is going to do special things’
“I sensed it before I signed that the club was on an upward trajectory. I felt it, with the players we’ve got and the direction we want to go in. It’s been tough in the PL as last year we lost out and this year we’ve slipped away. But we’ve done amazingly well in this competition and this club is going to do special things over the next years. We all fully believe that, we all have full trust in the manager and we have players coming through who really want it. It is a really good mix. Semi-finals is massive but we want to take this result in.
“I knew it wasn’t a penalty. Don’t get me wrong, I had my arm on him but you have to do that in the box, you have to try to stop him. I’m not going to just let him go. But I knew it wasn’t a pen and I’m an honest guy. I said to him straight away and I said it to Vasquez. And I would admit it if I pulled him down. He just fell to the floor and it wasn’t a pen and I was fully confident it would get overturned. We had to stay calm. It was a bit naive at time, we had to control the game a bit better but in the end we got the job done and it’s a historic night for the club.”
10:19 PM BST
Lewis-Skelly on his night out at the Bernabeu
“It was incredible. When you see it [Bernabeu] on TV it is a lot different to what it is live. The fans don’t make it easy for us. As long as we stuck together and backed each other through the high and lows we would be fine.”
10:18 PM BST
Rice on receiving the man of the match award
“Back to back! This is such a special and historic night for this club. We have an objective in this competition, we want to play the best teams and we want to win this competition. There was a lot of talk coming here about them coming back because they have done it so many times before. But we had so much confidence and belief that we had enough to come here and win the game. We had it in our mind and then we did it in real life.”
10:12 PM BST
Rice, Saka and Lewis-Skelly star
One of the great European performances from Arsenal. The best #UCL team of the era beaten 5-1 on agg. Thought the three London boys were a sensation. Arteta plan was ambitious and worked perfectly. He got it right
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) April 16, 2025
10:03 PM BST
FT: Madrid 1 Arsenal 2 (Agg: 1-5)
That is the best night of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign and the club are through to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009. There were a few bad moments – Saka’s failed Panenka, Saliba’s blunder and Partey’s needless yellow – but across the general play they outplayed, outfought and outthought Real Madrid. Declan Rice was a colossus, but the likes of Saka, Timber and Lewis-Skelly also deserve a mention.
10:01 PM BST
95 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 2 (Agg: 1-5)
Kieran Tierney is on for the final seconds and the air has well and truly been sucked out of the stadium.
09:59 PM BST
GOOOOOALLL! Martinelli with Arsenal’s fifth of the tie
A well-earned victory on the night and Arsenal are sailing through the semi-final. A defensive header fell for Merino, who carried the ball up to halfway and produced a lovely through ball behind the ailing Fran Garcia and Martinelli streaked away from him. The Arsenal forward kept his head and passed the ball beyond Courtois.
We can say it for certain now: Arsenal and Arteta have done an absolute number on Real Madrid. At no point over the two legs have they been in any real danger. Five high-quality goals. Arteta has won the FA Cup but this is his finest moment.
09:57 PM BST
92 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Partey drives Arsenal forward on the counter attack, and Odegaard stings the palms of Courtois from the edge of the box. Arsenal almost there.
09:56 PM BST
91 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
In the first minute of FIVE in stoppage time, Endrick misses one of Real’s better chances on the night. A rare moment of slackness from the Arsenal defence in their box, but the young Brazilian forward blazed over the bar on the swivel.
09:55 PM BST
90 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Vinicius Junior has not had a sniff against Timber, yet another blocked cross.
Real Madrid continue to toil against the Arsenal rearguard but then Trossard is caught on the ball, but Diaz’s near-post shot is comfortable for Raya.
“You’ve only come to see the Arsenal” is the song from the away fans, high up in the furthest reaches of the Bernabeu. It’s ringing loud and true here. The home fans have stopped believing.
09:52 PM BST
88 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Declan Rice with another vital defensive header in his box, before Vinicus sends a cross trickling into the hands of Raya. This is surely game over.
The defining player of this entire tie, at the Emirates and here tonight, has been Declan Rice. For the two goals at home and then for the relentless shift he has put in tonight. He has been everywhere, from the first minute onwards. Blocking shots, driving forward, making interceptions. Jude Bellingham, his England team-mate, has been totally overshadowed over the two legs.
09:50 PM BST
86 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Thomas Partey has just himself involved in some aggravation from Rudiger, and the booking means he will miss the first leg of the semi-final against PSG. That was silly and mindless from the Arsenal midfielder who must know he is on a booking.
09:49 PM BST
84 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
That is the potential downside to Lewis-Skelly’s courage on the ball…Valverde nicks the ball off him, and Vinicius is away in the right channel but Saliba recovered to win a vital block in the area. It should have been a Real corner, but the referee gives a goal kick.
Then Saliba miscues a clearance which helps Real win a corner. Real try a short one, and then Ceballos completely mishits a cross and Vinicius is caught offside. Arsenal can move up the pitch again.
09:47 PM BST
82 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Arsenal flowing forward again, and it started with another amazing run through midfield from Lewis-Skelly. To have the technique is impressive, but the nerve to produce it in this context is unbelievable. The move finished with Odegaard curling a shot wide of the far post.
09:45 PM BST
80 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Half a chance for Arsenal to truly kill this tie off but Odegaard’s low cross from the right was scrambled clear.
At the other end, Vinicius wins a free-kick just outside the Arsenal box for a foul by Timber. There did not look a great deal of contact.
Real try to set it short for Ceballos to shoot, and who blocked it? Declan Rice of course. This has been a masterclass.
09:43 PM BST
79 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Real fans screaming for a foul for an aerial challenge from Kiwior on Endrick but nothing doing. Cool and composed from Lewis-Skelly and Partey to play through pressure. The Arsenal youngster Lewis-Skelly has been magnificent again.
09:41 PM BST
77 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Saka with diligent defending, and he smacks the ball off his opposite number to win a goal kick which has Arsenal players punching the air. That is Saka’s final act, and he is replaced by Leandro Trossard.
09:40 PM BST
75 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Mikel Arteta was doing the universal manager gesticulation that involves pointing at your temples after the Saliba mistake. Mbappe has picked up an ankle knock in that challenge with Rice. That is his race run: Brahim Diaz is the player coming on.
09:38 PM BST
73 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Declan Rice has been a machine in the middle of Arsenal’s midfield, has has picked off so many Real attacks and after this interception he wins a foul from Mbappe. A few minutes before, Rice dribbled into the box but Tchouameni produced a crucial block.
09:36 PM BST
70 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Since those two quickfire goals, the game has been very bitty and packed with fouls. Arsenal send a free-kick into the box which is cleared, but Saka does ever so well to win a throw in.
09:33 PM BST
GOOOALLL! Real pull one back instantly
What a dreadful error from William Saliba at the back for Arsenal. He receives a ball from Raya on the edge of his box and dallies, and Vinicius pounces before finishing into the unguarded net. Game on? We could be in for a rollercoaster finish.
Just as Saka appeared to have killed this game, Saliba has brought it back to life. The Bernabeu is crackling again, more so than it was at 0-0 before Saka’s beautiful dinked finish.
09:32 PM BST
GOOOOALLLLL! Saka has surely sent Arsenal through
Saka won the initial flick on down the right and Arsenal then worked the ball across the Real penalty area. Odegaard fed Merino who picked out Saka with a cute reverse pass and the Arsenal winger lifted the ball over Courtois. A hint of offside but no VAR check.
ARSENAL HAVE THEIR GOAL! ⚽
Bukayo Saka keeps his composure as he lifts the ball over Courtois 🥶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/2hSBHPJxLu
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
09:30 PM BST
65 minutes: Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
A little bit of overconfidence at the back from Saliba, but then Endrick’s near-post header was glanced over the bar. Rice with ANOTHER smart bit of defending in between.
09:28 PM BST
63 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Just before the Real subs, Rice made a crucial interception to stop a dangerous Real break when Lewis-Skelly was caught forward. Then Rice wins another loose ball in midfield before a Martinelli nutmeg.
We mentioned before the game that Real tend to leave their comebacks late, and it will have to be the same story here.
Bellingham with an aimless cross that skips out for an Arsenal goal kick.
09:26 PM BST
61 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
The Arsenal corner was too close to Courtois. Then Lewis-Skelly produced a driving run through midfield and looked for a foul, and it looked like Rudiger deliberately trod on him in a delicate area. No sign of a VAR check.
Here come the subs: Fran Garcia, Ceballos and Endrick on for Alaba, Vazquez and Rodrygo.
The game is opening up. Madrid have to go for it, after all. It’s giving Arsenal more space to play their passing game.
09:23 PM BST
59 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real are readying a couple of changes: Endrick and Ceballos are about to be introduced in a double sub.
From the corner a few minutes earlier, it was awkward for Raya under his bar but he batted the ball over.
Odegaard then looked to have sent Saka through, but Asensio gets across to defend at the expense of a corner.
09:22 PM BST
57 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal with a sustained spell of possession, with every player including Raya involved, which brings the Oles! from the away fans and whistles from the home fans.
The away side being high up the pitch means there is space in behind for Vinicius and Mbappe, and there was almost a mix up at the back from Arsenal but Kiwior recovered well. Vinicius’ shot was comfortably saved by Raya.
Vinicius then wins a corner, but once again Timber stopped the cross.
09:18 PM BST
53 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Jurrien Timber penalised for a foul throw. Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans will be pleased that he was not booked for it. Martinelli then wins a clever flick on into the path of Odegaard but the Arsenal captain always looked offside and was eventually flagged.
Great run forward from Bellingham who looked away from Rice, but the Arsenal man did well enough to ease him out without conceding a penalty. Clever.
From the corner, Mbappe’s glancing header was nowhere near.
09:16 PM BST
51 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Rudiger with a poor pass out from the back and Partey pounces and wins a foul. That gives Arsenal the chance to gain some territory after a fairly passive first five minutes of the second half. Rice whips the free-kick into the box, but Merino’s header from a long way out is over the bar.
09:14 PM BST
49 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real Madrid seeing all of the ball and enjoying all of the territory early in the second half. As comfortable as Arsenal have looked defending their box, this is still a goal away from potentially getting hairy. It only takes a deflection or moment of chaos in the box.
Rice and Partey then shut out Mbappe and Bellingham, and to Bellingham’s disgust the ball bounces for an Arsenal goal kick.
09:12 PM BST
47 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
For the first time tonight, Mbappe gets the wrong side of Saliba but Real cross again and Arsenal head clear. Better again from Mbappe to spread play from left to right and Real win a corner. Saka volleys clear at the back post.
09:10 PM BST
We are back under way in the second half!
From kick off, Vazquez is penalised for a push on Lewis-Skelly.
09:06 PM BST
Carvajal confronts Saka at half time
PELEA ENTRE SAKA Y CARVAJAL. pic.twitter.com/hGMWOi4tQk
— _reyblanco_ (@_reyyblancoo_) April 16, 2025
09:03 PM BST
Still that chance of Real grandstand finish
There was a small sign of Madrid desperation at the end of that first half, as Rudiger went up front to challenge for a long-range punt. Instead of winning the ball, he conceded a silly foul. It’s not flowing for the Spanish side, at all. But how often have we seen this in the past, before they suddenly turn it on in the second half? It’s not over. It could be 0-0 at 80 minutes and it still wouldn’t be over.
08:57 PM BST
HT: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal would have taken a goalless and uneventful half. They got one of those. A tale of two penalty incidents and VAR checks: one give for Arsenal which Saka missed and one for Real overturned. I think the consensus will be the right decision was reached, Rice did not pull or grab Mbappe’s shirt, but it took an eternity. As the half wore on, Arsenal looked ever more comfortable defensively. There have been chances, not just Saka’s penalty. They just need to be more decisive up top and they can finish Real off.
08:54 PM BST
52 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
We are into the last minute of the first half. Timber is clever to buy a foul and allow Raya to kick long.
08:52 PM BST
51 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real Madrid look to be running out of ideas, and are pumping crosses into the area. Raya claims this one with ease.
Then Martinelli drills a shot at Courtois from a tight angle after Rice found him. Could Rice have taken the shot himself! Startling amount of time and space for Arsenal in the final third again.
Around 90 seconds for Arsenal to negotiate.
08:52 PM BST
49 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Partey with a scooped pass into the box for Martinelli’s run but his control lets him down. The one nit you could pick with Arsenal so far is their front players not taking advantage of the positions they have found.
08:50 PM BST
47 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Odegaard in a promising position on the break but he played the ball behind Martinelli. There is so much room for Arsenal’s main playmaker but his accuracy is letting him down. Arsenal need better from him. Tchouameni tries an overly ambitious shot which is easily blocked and Lewis-Skelly clears. Play stops for a Real head injury.
08:48 PM BST
45 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
There are going to be SEVEN minutes of added time. Arsenal are packing their penalty area with bodies and repelling the Real crosses at the moment. But concede in this period of stoppage time and the complexion would change.
08:47 PM BST
45 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
This feels an important spell for Arsenal to survive, but it is really clever from Saka to get in front of Vazquez to win a free-kick on halfway. Score before half time and this would be the perfect half for the visitors.
This could change in an instant but it feels like Arsenal are taking control of this game now. They are under pressure, of course, but Madrid are not producing waves of dangerous attacks.
Arteta’s team appear relatively comfortable dealing with crosses and corners. They have always been good at that, pretty much ever since he was appointed in 2019.
08:46 PM BST
43 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
That was one of Real’s more dangerous moments. Vazquez with a hopeful cross that flicked off an Arsenal head an Rudiger was not far away on the stretch. A corner then drops in the Arsenal six-yard box and is scrambled clear.
Odegaard cannot find an exit, and Real keep the pressure on. This is a better spell. They win another corner from a deflected Vinicius cross but Merino heads clear.
08:44 PM BST
41 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal with a similar kind of wide free-kick to defend than the penalty incident, but Saliba heads clear well. Timber then blocks a cross at the expense of a Real Madrid corner. Rudiger and Timber involved in some wrestling in the box. Raya punches clear… strong goalkeeping.
08:41 PM BST
39 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Excellent delivery from Saka but there was a foul in the middle by Partey. Real Madrid enjoy some possession, but it is all in front of Arsenal’s shape. Rice and Merino are winning so many second balls and 50:50s in the front of the Arsenal defence and it helps them move up the pitch and win a couple of throw-ins.
08:39 PM BST
37 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal looking quite solid in their defensive structure now. It feels like they have survived a dangerous spell in the game after Saka’s missed penalty, but there is still so much time to play. In a sign of Real’s frustration, they play an aimless long ball forward. Raya is booked for time wasting at the resulting goal kick.
Nice flick round the corner from Merino to combine with Saka, and Arsenal now have a corner.
08:37 PM BST
34 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Rudiger with a naughty foul on Merino, which gives Arsenal the chance to send a free-kick into the box. The ball dropped for Timber to take a snap shot inside the box but the effort was always rising over Courtois’ bar.
08:35 PM BST
32 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Mbappe with a decent attempt at a curler into the top corner, but Raya is comfortable enough letting it fly past the angle of post and bar. In a double boost for Arsenal, Rice’s rescinded yellow means he is not suspended for the semi (as things stand).
Rice then helps Arsenal break into space and find Saka, but Odegaard then dallied when there was a chance to shoot and tried to chip the ball back to Saka.
Saka then wins a foul from Alaba. Real have threatened in flashes, but there is so much space out there for Arsenal to attack if they stay composed and pick the right shot or pass.
08:32 PM BST
30 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
As we were then. Loud whistles and jeers from the Bernabeu crowd after the referee made the box signal to overturn his original decision. It was overturned because Rice was not deemed to have made a foul.
For the first time tonight, it’s the Arsenal fans who can be heard at the Bernabeu. That decision to overturn the penalty has momentarily knocked some wind from the lungs of the Madridistas. It probably helped Arsenal, too, that it took so long for the decision to be made.
08:31 PM BST
NO PENALTY!
What drama.. if you like standing around for five minutes. That seems a fair outcome though, and Rice’s yellow is chalked off.
A penalty for Real Madrid is overturned following a VAR review on Declan Rice’s challenge.
The deadlock is yet to be broken at the Bernabéu 🔐
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/i78Fon4BWn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
08:29 PM BST
This has now been a three-minute VAR check
The referee is stood still completely impassive. There is a hint of offside.
He is actually coming over to the monitor…he is checking whether the contact from Rice was sufficient.
08:27 PM BST
PENALTY REAL!
Declan Rice has been penalised for a supposed shirt pull on Mbappe. There looked to be no hint of a shirt pull or tug, he barely had his hands on the Real forward. Rice has been booked, maybe for his reaction, and will now miss the PSG first leg if Real get through.
A lengthy VAR check is ongoing, though.
08:25 PM BST
23 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
William Saliba has just produced some outstanding one-on-one defending against Mbappe in the box, ushering the ball behind for a goal kick.
A little sloppy and overcomplicated from Arsenal when there was time and space to play through midfield. They tried to have Martinelli run diagonally across the pitch but it was cut out.
Odegaard then caught on it, and Real apply some pressure with a wide free-kick. Rodrygo went for the spectacle but miscued.
Magnificent one-against-one defending by Saliba, completely shutting down Mbappe and ushering the ball out of play. The Arsenal fans in the away end celebrated it like a goal.
08:23 PM BST
20 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Lewis-Skelly with another driving run through midfield which draws a foul, much to the frustration of the Real Madrid players and then crowd. Kiwior overhits an attempted long ball into the channel for Martinelli. Then Rice makes a foul in midfield. Suits Arsenal if the game is bitty.
Bellingham then does ever so well to drive down the left and flash low cross across the six-yard box.
Arsenal have made it through the first 20 minutes unscathed, but they have to deal with the blow of missing that penalty.
08:20 PM BST
17 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Raya does well to bat away a corner that should not have been given. Partey blocks a long shot from Vazquez before Kiwior wins an important defensive header in his penalty box. An attempted switch out to Rodrygo runs out for an Arsenal goal kick.
08:18 PM BST
15 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
That is the type of incident that will strengthen Real Madrid’s belief that this is a night when extraordinary things can happen. Arsenal and Saka blow the chance to score the game’s first goal, but they do look threatening whenever they come forward.
08:16 PM BST
COURTOIS SAVES!
Saka goes for the Panenka and gets it all wrong! Not enough power and to the same side as Courtois who palms the ball away. That was a strange choice from Saka. I’m not sure he has ever taken a penalty like that.
I can’t recall Bukayo Saka ever taking a penalty like that before. He’s put them down the middle in the past but I am certain he has never tried to chip it in that manner. It’s an extraordinary decision. It did not pay off.
BUKAYO SAKA MISSES! ⛔
Real Madrid have a lifeline…
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/1meC2fURLC
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
08:14 PM BST
ARSENAL PENALTY!
Out of nowhere, the referee goes to the monitor and gives Arsenal a penalty for the incident at the corner Courtois claimed 90 seconds ago. Nobody really appealed, or knew what was happening. But on the screen, Asensio is shown to be pulling back Merino in the area.
What a moment for Arsenal. Odegaard stands over it, but then hands the ball to Saka…
08:13 PM BST
10 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real had a promising attack but Rice intercepted. Arsenal broke, with Saka threatening again, but Odegaard failed to play the one-two when it was on. Saka looking so dangerous.
08:11 PM BST
8 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Alaba is scared stiff of Saka and cannot go near him now on a yellow. The Arsenal winger cuts inside and curls an good effort towards the far corner which Courtois has to push away. The ball goes out for a throw and then Arsenal win a corner.
Too close to Courtois and the goalkeeper claims.
08:09 PM BST
6 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Lewis-Skelly twisting and turning in midfield wonderfully to win a foul against Bellingham. From a Martinelli cross, Timber and Odegaard counter-press to keep the pressure on. Saka then lets fly from a tight angle and the ball flashes wide of the far post. Mikel Merino goes down claiming a head injury. The home crowd are whistling any perceived time-wasting.
This is an open game. Saliba gets a head to Rodrygo’s cross, who beat Lewis-Skelly a little easily.
It would be reasonable to worry about Myles Lewis-Skelly tonight, given the size of the occasion and the atmosphere here. But his first action of note was to completely spin Jude Bellingham, leaving his England team-mate scrambling on the floor. The teenager backs himself.
08:07 PM BST
4 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
This has been a fast a furious start, which maybe spells danger for Arsenal. For the second time, Real are able to break at pace down the left, but Lewis-Skelly cleared Mbappe’s low cross. Then Alaba cleaned out Bukayo Saka with a tackle so late it belonged in the semi-final. Yellow card for the Real left-back. A long time to play against Saka.
08:06 PM BST
2 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
There has not been much football played so far, but Arsenal have some early territory. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s throw-in however, flies straight out for a goal kick.
An early scare for Arsenal at the other end though. Vinicius’ shot across goal was turned in by Mbappe but he was about four yards offside. Never a question about the decision.
Timber won a tackle in midfield but was then caught forward.
08:03 PM BST
How the Bernabeau sounded at kick-off
08:03 PM BST
KICK OFF!
Arsenal get the game started, and Raya kicks for territory from the off.
08:02 PM BST
A minute’s silence
One of two Real luminaries being remembered is former coach Leo Beenhakker. His funeral procession when past Feyenoord’s stadium today. The Dutchman won three La Liga titles.
07:58 PM BST
A mix of whistles and cheers over the Champions League anthem
No chance of the Europa League theme playing at the Bernabeu. I doubt it is on the stadium playlist. It probably is not allowed to be played within a two-mile radius.
07:57 PM BST
Real’s tifo
As is their custom before a big European game the Real Madrid fans have unfurled a huge tifo. This one shows a bearded, God-like figure playing chess. Either side of it there is a banner which reads: Fabrico de los suenos haz el nuestro Madrid (I make dreams, make our Real).
07:56 PM BST
The players are in the tunnel
Arsenal will be wearing their black away kit. That seemed initially confusing, but then Arsenal do have white shorts as well as sleeves. In 2006, Arsenal wore a yellow away kit.
07:54 PM BST
This would be a good night for Martin Odegaard to find his shooting boots
Back at the club where he moved as a 15-year-old. For the first time in his Arsenal career, Odegaard has scored fewer goals than his expected goals figure this season. His wayward shooting has been a source of frustration, especially when two seasons ago he scored 15 goals from open play. The Arsenal captain does a lot of organising on the pitch, but those individual moments of quality have not quite been there (in a season which started with an ankle injury).
07:45 PM BST
More from Arteta on TNT
Very focused and very determined. We know the challenge and the opportunity ahead. Go and embrace it!
[On Real changes] Within the formation and the approach they have… at the end, the players make the difference – we will understand what they want to do first.
07:43 PM BST
Real Madrid’s defence still looks vulnerable
With Arsenal, as expected, unchanged the big talking points are around the Real Madrid line-up. That mainly revolves around moving Fede Valverde from being the makeshift right-back back into midfield. The Uruguayan will undoubtedly strengthen Real in the middle – with Eduardo Camavinga suspended and 39-year-old Luka Modric can on the bench – but they may be weaker in defence where Lucas Vazquez is filling in and can be got at. Given how David Alaba struggled at left-back against Bukayo Saka last week then getting the ball out wide might well be Arsenal’s most productive tactic.
07:41 PM BST
‘If anyone can do it, it’s Madrid’
Here’s an example of the Madrid media machine we referenced earlier. The football media environment in Spain is very, very different to the UK. This is the front page of Marca today:
🗞️ Marca’s Cover | If anyone can do it, it’s Madrid. pic.twitter.com/twzsKUiDjN
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) April 16, 2025
07:37 PM BST
Arteta speaking on TNT about the weight of first 15 minutes
It is always very important to start with a positive vibe and a good feeling. We will try to do that, but it’s going to be a long game so it’s not only about the start.
At this level every action matters. Every action changes momentum.
07:32 PM BST
Likewise Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal
18 – Myles-Lewis Skelly is one of only three players aged 18 to start a knockout stage match away to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, after Cesc Fàbregas in February 2006 (Arsenal) and Max Meyer in March 2014 (FC Schalke 04). Occasion. pic.twitter.com/JnBv7TUXCg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2025
07:32 PM BST
Bellingham following in the footsteps of a Real legend
47 – Jude Bellingham is making his 47th appearance in the UEFA Champions League tonight, equalling the most by a player aged 21 or under in the competition’s history (level with Iker Casillas, 47). Leader. pic.twitter.com/GdUBew3ysq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2025
07:23 PM BST
Arsenal fans making most of the noise under the Bernabeu roof
It has been raining on and off all day in Madrid but that is not the reason why the retractable roof is closed this evening at the impressively revamped Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Real Madrid made the request to Uefa – which was granted – in the belief that it will improve even more what is expected to be a raucous atmosphere.
At the moment, ahead of kick-off, the noise is being made by the large wedge of Arsenal fans high up in the stands who have managed to get a drum inside the stadium and are singing “allez, allez, allez”. Inevitably it has been met with whistles by the Real Madrid supporters.
07:22 PM BST
David Raya did Arsenal’s pre-match media
I think Arsenal’s goalkeeper is key to their chances tonight, but not for the reasons you might think. He could well need to make some telling saves, but he is the player who can set the tone at the base of Arsenal’s team with his distribution. Along with Saliba and Kiwior, the overload created with Raya against Real’s front two was the foundation of Arsenal establishing midfield control further up. If Raya’s first few passes are clean, Arsenal can settle. If he makes an error or kicks a few long balls astray, it is coming straight back.
07:13 PM BST
Real Madrid fans backing up outside the Bernabeu
07:04 PM BST
The view from outside the Bernabeu with Sam
07:03 PM BST
Bellingham gets himself in the zone
As usual Jude Bellingham has walked out to the centre circle and around the pitch on his own. The Real Madrid midfielder does it before every game, even at home where he is obviously familiar with the surroundings. It helps him visualise. It feels like he is motivated for a big night, having been the player who did the pre-match press conference, and after being eclipsed by his England team-mate Declan Rice in last week’s first leg.
06:59 PM BST
The comeback could happen… but it shouldn’t
Within seconds of the final whistle in north London last week, the Madrid machine was fired up. The players, coaches, supporters and Spanish media have all been banging the same drum for the past few weeks: the comeback, or “remontada”, is on.
Much of this, of course, is strategic. The more they talk about it, the more they believe it. And the more they believe it, the more likely it is to happen. You can feel it in the air in Madrid, where thousands of fans lined the streets to welcome the team bus with flares, flags and songs. It was quite the sight.
Can the “remontada” really happen? Yes, obviously. Strange things take place at the Bernabeu all the time, especially in European competition.
But we should not get too carried away by the vibes and the emotion here, because it remains highly unlikely that Arsenal will exit the competition. Madrid have never overturned a deficit like this in the Champions League, and Arsenal’s defensive record is exceptional: they have only conceded 0.55 goals per game in Europe this season and have the best defence in the Premier League.
Thousands of Real Madrid fans greet the team bus outside the Bernabeu pic.twitter.com/liBOKjKzvy
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) April 16, 2025
06:57 PM BST
Arsenal team news: Arteta picks unchanged team from first leg
Starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Trossard, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Rosiak
06:54 PM BST
Myles Lewis-Skelly… does he feel pressure?
Arsenal’s left-back (but really a midfielder for much of the game) was absolutely superb in the first leg, stepping in between Mbappe and Vinicus and the Real midfield to receive and turn in dangerous areas. In this piece, Sam Dean looks at how Lewis-Skelly uses his arms to protect the ball and drive away from opponents, muck like Jonah Lomu. This piece looks at the rise of Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri as a pair, while this piece reveals how Lewis-Skelly’s mother is helping protect other academy parents from the pitfalls that lurk in a ruthless and unscrupulous sport.
Maybe he is on the phone to her here. Much like on the pitch, if Lewis-Skelly is nervous he does well to hide it.
06:48 PM BST
Already a perceptible raise of Carlo Ancelotti’s left eyebrow
06:46 PM BST
Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri taking it all in
06:45 PM BST
Both sets of players have arrived
06:44 PM BST
How will Arsenal approach this?
I think predictions of a 100-minute attack vs defence session have been slightly overcooked. Real Madrid are not Klopp’s Liverpool, a pressing machine who can suffocate teams close to their own goal. The first leg showed that Arsenal, if they keep their nerve, can play through, over or around this Real team.
Arsenal have been criticised this season for not playing enough riskier passes into central attacking positions, preferring to funnel the ball to their wingers. But looking at Real’s team, that could be a virtue this evening. Tchouameni and Valverde are strong ball-winners who will be looking to intercept and release their forwards at pace.
Martinelli vs Vazquez and Saka vs Alaba look favourable duels for Arsenal, so playing the percentages with their passing could be a wise strategy.
06:38 PM BST
A great view of the crowd outside the stadium
🤍 Bernabéu ✖️ Madridistas 🤍 pic.twitter.com/S3QgRA9ZPx
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 16, 2025
06:17 PM BST
Arsenal’s hype video
History. It’s time to create our own. pic.twitter.com/ddzgNifvOe
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2025
06:13 PM BST
Assessing that Real team news
Compared to the first-leg, there is far more running power and steel in Real’s midfield tonight with a Valverde-Tchouameni axis rather than Modric-Camavinga. Tchouameni returns from suspension, with Camavinga missing this game after his red card at the Emirates.
Carlo Ancelotti has a case of Rafael Benitez’s blanket problem, because by strengthening his midfield he has maybe exposed his right-back zone. Lucas Vazquez, 33, is a winger by trade and very much a stand-in option.
Bukayo Saka had the beating of David Alaba in the first leg, so he and Gabriel Martinelli will be key to Arsenal’s chances of doing damage.
06:06 PM BST
Real Madrid team and subs: Vazquez right-back with Valverde in midfield
📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Arsenalpic.twitter.com/TD5jcRhpvQ— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 16, 2025
06:02 PM BST
Real fans line the street waiting to greet the team coach
It is not just a Liverpool thing, then. Maybe you need a minimum number of European Cups to justify it.
06:01 PM BST
The hunt for the barmiest piece pre-match content
It might well have come from one of the pundits on television show El Chiringuito. With thanks to Sport Witness for the translation.
“It’s Holy Week and you know that God, God is a Real Madrid fan. God is from Real Madrid,” the man in question said.
“He who made us all. He’s from Real Madrid. He wears the Real Madrid shirt. He wears the Real Madrid crest. Don’t fight each other again.”
05:56 PM BST
What Arteta expects from Real Madrid
Our approach is to win it. The same as we did in London,” Arteta told a news conference on Tuesday.
Real Madrid are going to try to take us places we don’t want to go. I understand it because it is part of their history and they have the right to be talking about these kinds of (comeback) scenarios.
We have to show the mindset to win. To be brave, to be dominant and to be determined. We need to have the conviction that we can be better than them and win the game.
05:43 PM BST
Some of Jude Bellingham’s pre-match thoughts
It was one of the worst [first leg] results we could possibly imagine, and for some reason everyone thinks it’s nailed-on that we will come back. It’s a nice feeling, I have to say.
It means there’s a lot of trust in the talent. It means that you’re at a club that’s like no other, the best in the world, and that’s what it represents and signifies to me. I think there’s an expectation of Real Madrid that when we get in these holes we can come back. In England it’s not as common but it does happen. The club have done it so many times, so the expectations are huge.
05:33 PM BST
Tonight’s venue looks far more impressive inside than outside
In an intriguing pre-match titbit, the roof of the Bernabeu is going to be closed after Uefa accepted a request from the club to do so. Presumably the idea is it helps to build the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Arsenal did win an FA Cup final under a roof: they won 1-0 against Southampton at Cardiff’s then Millennium Stadium in 2003. Their record under a roof since? Your guess is as good as mine.
05:26 PM BST
The ‘dark magic’ of the Bernabeu
Sam Dean has taken a close look at where Real’s confidence in achieving improbable comebacks comes from, and some of the highlights from recent seasons. The interesting thing is just how late these goals have come.
Last season, Madrid scored twice in the final two minutes of the match through Joselu to beat Bayern Munich.
In their 2022 semi-final, they scored twice in two stoppage-time minutes to defeat Manchester City.
Earlier that season, Madrid were trailing by two goals with 30 minutes remaining of their second leg against Paris St-Germain. Karim Benzema promptly scored three goals, the third of which was converted only 11 seconds after his second.
When Chelsea visited Madrid under the management of Thomas Tuchel, they were 10 minutes from victory when Luka Modric produced the most extraordinary assist.
So for all the talk of Madrid tearing out of the traps, it could be that they are happy to play the long game and prey on any Arsenal vulnerabilities closer to the finish line.
05:16 PM BST
Player face masks seem to be popular among Real fans
05:14 PM BST
Yellow card watch
Arsenal’s priority must be quelling Real Madrid’s attacks and making sure they qualify first, but it is worth noting they have four players at risk of missing the first leg against PSG should they pick up a yellow card. Those players are: Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli. All starters, but given the strength of PSG’s midfield and threat on the flanks the availability of Timber and Rice feel critical.
For Real Madrid, Antonio Rudiger, Luka Modric and Endrick are the players who are one booking away from suspension.
Yellow cards are wiped after this round, but suspensions from yellows awarded in the quarter-final carry forward.
A long way to go yet, but these risks might inform Arteta’s subs should Arsenal find themselves in a comfortable position.
05:06 PM BST
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05:04 PM BST
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign could be shaped by this night
There are many shades of grey in football, but for Arsenal this evening the picture is stark. See off Real Madrid with the help of a three-goal lead and a first Champions League semi-final since 2009 awaits; concede that advantage however, and it would be one of the most painful collapses in the club’s modern history.
Looking at the situation dispassionately, it is far more likely to be a joyous night for Mikel Arteta’s team than a chastening one, but they are stalked by the fear of a possible Real comeback. Or at least nervous Arsenal fans are, while Madridistas and a partisan Spanish press bang the drum for another remontada.
Both camps sounded fairly bullish in the build-up, but they would wouldn’t they? Jude Bellingham said talk of turning around this quarter-final started on the Real team bus as it left the Emirates after the first-leg defeat. David Raya and Mikel Arteta emphasised that Arsenal were coming to the Santiago Bernabéu with the same aggressive mindset and an intent to win on the night.
Real have pulled off late turnarounds in home second legs to punish PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich in recent memory, but they have never retrieved a three-goal deficit in the Champions League era. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will need to improve markedly on their efforts in the first leg, when they were too easy to play through and dominated in midfield. There were still moments when Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe flashed the speed and threat that means scoring three or four tonight is not unthinkable.
Aside from the loss of Jorginho, there are no fresh injury problems for Arsenal with Arteta expected to name an unchanged team. How Arsenal go about managing the game with a three-goal lead will be interesting. Caution and mistake-avoidance are in order, but ceding the initiative can be dangerous. Thibaut Courtois made three or four excellent saves last week, aside from Declan Rice’s two free-kicks and Mikel Merino’s strike. That suggests Arsenal will create more chances if they continue to play forward. Scoring a goal, or more, would be the best way of extinguishing a comeback.
This was the defining moment of Mikel Arteta’s reign at Arsenal. So far, at least. They have knocked out Real Madrid, the 15-time European champions, the holders, the team who boasted they had the aura and the capability to overturn any deficit.
But not this time. No chance. They were well beaten with Arsenal fans even ‘ole-ing’ in the second-half before the shackled Kylian Mbappe was withdrawn to a chorus of “who are you?”
In the Bernabeu, Arsenal bossed it. It was one of their very best European away nights, if not the best. It was up there with Inter Milan in a group game in 2003 and Real, again, in a last-16 tie in 2006 when Arsenal then went on to reach the final. It probably surpassed both given it was a quarter-final.
Real are out and deservedly so and it is Arsenal who will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals and if they perform as they have done over the two legs of this tie it will be a monumental match-up.
Arsenal should fear no-one. Not if they play like this. So why not go on and finally win this thing? They are on the cusp of becoming only the second Arsenal side to reach a European Cup final and may well face Barcelona again in the final in Munich.
Is that getting too far ahead of ourselves? Probably. But Arsenal are on the brink of greatness and should believe. They were told that 90 minutes is a long time – molto longo – at this grand stadium. It was for Real, not them.
For all the bluster and mind-games and gas-lighting Real ran out of ideas and that does not reflect well on their coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose time appears to coming to a close, or their big stars. It was not just Mbappe but Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior who struggled.
The real stars – rather than the Real stars? They were in Arsenal black with the three London boys, in particular, standing out. What a night for Declan Rice. After his free-kicks last Tuesday he had the freedom of the pitch and was simply magnificent.
There had been concerns over whether it might be too much for 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly but he, too, was outstanding and even reduced Real’s Antonio Rudiger into executing a nasty-looking stamp on him.
And then there was Bukayo Saka. The star boy. The only Remontada came from him after he missed a penalty but went on to score.
Once again Saka showed his strength of character as he brushed aside the failed spot-kick, an unwise effort in truth as he attempted to beat Thibaut Courtois with a ‘panenka’ only to allow the goalkeeper to thrust out an arm and turn it away.
BUKAYO SAKA MISSES! ⛔
Real Madrid have a lifeline…
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/1meC2fURLC
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
Bellingham had been in Saka’s ear before the penalty, given after a VAR call for Mikel Merino being pulled back – which was missed by the French referee Francois Letexier – and maybe that put him off. At half-time the injured Dani Carvajal had a go at Saka before he walked down the tunnel.
But Saka was unaffected and, so, he was smartly picked out by Merino – who also had an impressive evening – and lifted the ball beyond Courtois. After failing with a dink, he scored with a dink and cupped his ears to the Real fans in celebration.
ARSENAL HAVE THEIR GOAL! ⚽
Bukayo Saka keeps his composure as he lifts the ball over Courtois 🥶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/RvGxtgl3EB
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
Above all, though, this tie belonged to Arteta who has understandably come in for so much scrutiny this season with Arsenal set to fall short in the Premier League, allowing Liverpool to capitalise on Manchester City’s failings when it was felt his team should be best-placed.
There have even been tentative questions, after five years in charge, as to whether he can actually get them over the line.
But the season is alive. Real have been beaten and Arteta now faces the club he used to play for as a midfielder which adds another dimension to a match-up which requires no hype.
Tactically he got it spot on, over both legs, and that emphatic 5-1 aggregate scoreline was a fair reflection of Arsenal’s dominance. They have also comprehensively beaten PSG already this season, 2-0 back in September. But beware: Luis Enrique’s side have come a long way since then as City and Liverpool will testify and, now, also Aston Villa despite pushing them so hard.
The one drawback? A late yellow card for Thomas Partey who is suspended for the first leg at home to PSG. Given the balance he brings to the midfield – and given the midfield that PSG possess – that is an undoubted blow.
We expected chaos. We expected tumult and drama and controversy. And we got it. There was not just the Saka penalty but one given to Real when Rice was deemed to have pulled back Mbappe. However VAR intervened and after a five-minute delay the decision was over-turned by the referee who cancelled a caution for Rice which would have also ruled him out against PSG.
Instead Mbappe was adjudged to have dived. It was the kind of incident that Real will seize on and claim injustice but that was clutching at straws.
For all the fervour Arsenal were in control. They were creating the chances and the frustration from Real was real. The Saka goal appeared to settle it but then there was terrible mistake from William Saliba – of all people – as he dwelled on the ball on the area’s edge and Vinicius rushed him before firing high into the net.
Vini Jr takes advantage of a mistake at the back and levels the game up ⚽
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/XIzByKBWRS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
What was so admirable was how Arsenal responded to that. For all the immediate noise, the Real fans were quiet as the clock ran down before, in added time, Merino released Gabriel Martinelli who ran from halfway to win the game and give Arsenal their reward. “One of the best nights of my football career,” Arteta said. It was, most gloriously, that.
‘Arsenal ready to compete with anyone’ – Arteta issues warning to rest of Europe
Mikel Arteta warned the rest of Europe that his Arsenal players are “ready to compete with anyone” and go all the way in the Champions League after their stunning dismantling of Real Madrid.
Their triumph set up a mouthwatering semi-final against Paris St-Germain and Arteta said: “I had an inner feeling before the tie, with what the players were transmitting and how prepared I could feel they were, that we are ready to compete against anybody. Now we have to continue to do that, because I think we have some momentum now.
“It is another massive step. It was my first time here [at the Bernabeu] as a coach in that dugout and today I realised after three minutes in that stadium that anything is possible.
“They are specialists of creating such chaos, such belief, and it’s very difficult to understand really what’s going on in the game and have certain certainty about how we control it. But I think the players showed their own maturity.
“It was one of the best nights in my football career. We played against a team with the biggest history. It has been an inspiration for all of us in this competition. To be able to win the tie in the manner we have done, I think we have to be very proud of ourselves.”
Arteta, who revealed that he had spoken to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on the morning of the match, joked that he would have liked to “slap” Bukayo Saka after his chipped penalty was saved in the first half. But he was also full of praise for the England winger’s response to that penalty miss, as Saka scored with a glorious dinked finish after the break.
“Again, he stepped up,” said Arteta of Saka. “He didn’t score [the penalty], obviously. That could be a turning point emotionally in the game because he gave them a lot of belief. But the way he handled the situation, the personality he showed, at his age, in this stadium. Incredible.”
Saka said he believes Arsenal can win the Champions League, adding: “We showed that we can play in Europe and beat one of the best teams in the world, home and away. I am very proud of this team. Tonight was a big statement and I am so happy for everyone.
“We felt comfortable [in the game]. We are quite good when we get into a low block. It took a lot of running but we managed to do it.”
On his penalty, Saka said: “It can happen. I tried something, but it didn’t work. I was confident I was going to score tonight. I learn in every moment. Tonight, I am more focused on enjoying the win and then I will review it properly.”
10:55 PM BST
Arteta on facing PSG next
“I watched the game last night and it was a crazy game.
“I know the manager [Luis Enrique] really well, but let’s enjoy tonight.
“They’re a different team now and they’re on an incredible run at the moment.”
10:52 PM BST
Arteta on Rice’s performance
“Tonight, he was immense. He turned the game around. He was immense today. He made a difference.”
10:51 PM BST
Arteta: ‘One of the best night of my career’
“One of the best nights in my football career.
“We played against a team with the biggest history. It has been an inspiration for all of us on this competition.
“To be able to win the tie in the manner we have done – I think we have to be very proud of ourselves.
“It is very difficult. After two-to-three minutes you realise anything can happen in this stadium.
“Fortunately, a lot of things went for us. Overall, we did what we had to do to win the game.
“The history we have in this competition is so short. The third time in our history of what we have just done and we have to build on that.
“All this experience is going to help us, for sure.”
“We had full belief that we could beat this team and the players did it.”
10:35 PM BST
Rice on playing PSG in the semis
“Top team. We played them once already, but they’re a different team to what they were back then.£
10:24 PM BST
Sam’s verdict from the Bernabeu
10:22 PM BST
More from Rice: ‘This club is going to do special things’
“I sensed it before I signed that the club was on an upward trajectory. I felt it, with the players we’ve got and the direction we want to go in. It’s been tough in the PL as last year we lost out and this year we’ve slipped away. But we’ve done amazingly well in this competition and this club is going to do special things over the next years. We all fully believe that, we all have full trust in the manager and we have players coming through who really want it. It is a really good mix. Semi-finals is massive but we want to take this result in.
“I knew it wasn’t a penalty. Don’t get me wrong, I had my arm on him but you have to do that in the box, you have to try to stop him. I’m not going to just let him go. But I knew it wasn’t a pen and I’m an honest guy. I said to him straight away and I said it to Vasquez. And I would admit it if I pulled him down. He just fell to the floor and it wasn’t a pen and I was fully confident it would get overturned. We had to stay calm. It was a bit naive at time, we had to control the game a bit better but in the end we got the job done and it’s a historic night for the club.”
10:19 PM BST
Lewis-Skelly on his night out at the Bernabeu
“It was incredible. When you see it [Bernabeu] on TV it is a lot different to what it is live. The fans don’t make it easy for us. As long as we stuck together and backed each other through the high and lows we would be fine.”
10:18 PM BST
Rice on receiving the man of the match award
“Back to back! This is such a special and historic night for this club. We have an objective in this competition, we want to play the best teams and we want to win this competition. There was a lot of talk coming here about them coming back because they have done it so many times before. But we had so much confidence and belief that we had enough to come here and win the game. We had it in our mind and then we did it in real life.”
10:12 PM BST
Rice, Saka and Lewis-Skelly star
One of the great European performances from Arsenal. The best #UCL team of the era beaten 5-1 on agg. Thought the three London boys were a sensation. Arteta plan was ambitious and worked perfectly. He got it right
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) April 16, 2025
10:03 PM BST
FT: Madrid 1 Arsenal 2 (Agg: 1-5)
That is the best night of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign and the club are through to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009. There were a few bad moments – Saka’s failed Panenka, Saliba’s blunder and Partey’s needless yellow – but across the general play they outplayed, outfought and outthought Real Madrid. Declan Rice was a colossus, but the likes of Saka, Timber and Lewis-Skelly also deserve a mention.
10:01 PM BST
95 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 2 (Agg: 1-5)
Kieran Tierney is on for the final seconds and the air has well and truly been sucked out of the stadium.
09:59 PM BST
GOOOOOALLL! Martinelli with Arsenal’s fifth of the tie
A well-earned victory on the night and Arsenal are sailing through the semi-final. A defensive header fell for Merino, who carried the ball up to halfway and produced a lovely through ball behind the ailing Fran Garcia and Martinelli streaked away from him. The Arsenal forward kept his head and passed the ball beyond Courtois.
We can say it for certain now: Arsenal and Arteta have done an absolute number on Real Madrid. At no point over the two legs have they been in any real danger. Five high-quality goals. Arteta has won the FA Cup but this is his finest moment.
09:57 PM BST
92 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Partey drives Arsenal forward on the counter attack, and Odegaard stings the palms of Courtois from the edge of the box. Arsenal almost there.
09:56 PM BST
91 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
In the first minute of FIVE in stoppage time, Endrick misses one of Real’s better chances on the night. A rare moment of slackness from the Arsenal defence in their box, but the young Brazilian forward blazed over the bar on the swivel.
09:55 PM BST
90 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Vinicius Junior has not had a sniff against Timber, yet another blocked cross.
Real Madrid continue to toil against the Arsenal rearguard but then Trossard is caught on the ball, but Diaz’s near-post shot is comfortable for Raya.
“You’ve only come to see the Arsenal” is the song from the away fans, high up in the furthest reaches of the Bernabeu. It’s ringing loud and true here. The home fans have stopped believing.
09:52 PM BST
88 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Declan Rice with another vital defensive header in his box, before Vinicus sends a cross trickling into the hands of Raya. This is surely game over.
The defining player of this entire tie, at the Emirates and here tonight, has been Declan Rice. For the two goals at home and then for the relentless shift he has put in tonight. He has been everywhere, from the first minute onwards. Blocking shots, driving forward, making interceptions. Jude Bellingham, his England team-mate, has been totally overshadowed over the two legs.
09:50 PM BST
86 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Thomas Partey has just himself involved in some aggravation from Rudiger, and the booking means he will miss the first leg of the semi-final against PSG. That was silly and mindless from the Arsenal midfielder who must know he is on a booking.
09:49 PM BST
84 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
That is the potential downside to Lewis-Skelly’s courage on the ball…Valverde nicks the ball off him, and Vinicius is away in the right channel but Saliba recovered to win a vital block in the area. It should have been a Real corner, but the referee gives a goal kick.
Then Saliba miscues a clearance which helps Real win a corner. Real try a short one, and then Ceballos completely mishits a cross and Vinicius is caught offside. Arsenal can move up the pitch again.
09:47 PM BST
82 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Arsenal flowing forward again, and it started with another amazing run through midfield from Lewis-Skelly. To have the technique is impressive, but the nerve to produce it in this context is unbelievable. The move finished with Odegaard curling a shot wide of the far post.
09:45 PM BST
80 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Half a chance for Arsenal to truly kill this tie off but Odegaard’s low cross from the right was scrambled clear.
At the other end, Vinicius wins a free-kick just outside the Arsenal box for a foul by Timber. There did not look a great deal of contact.
Real try to set it short for Ceballos to shoot, and who blocked it? Declan Rice of course. This has been a masterclass.
09:43 PM BST
79 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Real fans screaming for a foul for an aerial challenge from Kiwior on Endrick but nothing doing. Cool and composed from Lewis-Skelly and Partey to play through pressure. The Arsenal youngster Lewis-Skelly has been magnificent again.
09:41 PM BST
77 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Saka with diligent defending, and he smacks the ball off his opposite number to win a goal kick which has Arsenal players punching the air. That is Saka’s final act, and he is replaced by Leandro Trossard.
09:40 PM BST
75 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Mikel Arteta was doing the universal manager gesticulation that involves pointing at your temples after the Saliba mistake. Mbappe has picked up an ankle knock in that challenge with Rice. That is his race run: Brahim Diaz is the player coming on.
09:38 PM BST
73 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Declan Rice has been a machine in the middle of Arsenal’s midfield, has has picked off so many Real attacks and after this interception he wins a foul from Mbappe. A few minutes before, Rice dribbled into the box but Tchouameni produced a crucial block.
09:36 PM BST
70 minutes: Madrid 1 Arsenal 1 (Agg: 1-4)
Since those two quickfire goals, the game has been very bitty and packed with fouls. Arsenal send a free-kick into the box which is cleared, but Saka does ever so well to win a throw in.
09:33 PM BST
GOOOALLL! Real pull one back instantly
What a dreadful error from William Saliba at the back for Arsenal. He receives a ball from Raya on the edge of his box and dallies, and Vinicius pounces before finishing into the unguarded net. Game on? We could be in for a rollercoaster finish.
Just as Saka appeared to have killed this game, Saliba has brought it back to life. The Bernabeu is crackling again, more so than it was at 0-0 before Saka’s beautiful dinked finish.
09:32 PM BST
GOOOOALLLLL! Saka has surely sent Arsenal through
Saka won the initial flick on down the right and Arsenal then worked the ball across the Real penalty area. Odegaard fed Merino who picked out Saka with a cute reverse pass and the Arsenal winger lifted the ball over Courtois. A hint of offside but no VAR check.
ARSENAL HAVE THEIR GOAL! ⚽
Bukayo Saka keeps his composure as he lifts the ball over Courtois 🥶
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/2hSBHPJxLu
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
09:30 PM BST
65 minutes: Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
A little bit of overconfidence at the back from Saliba, but then Endrick’s near-post header was glanced over the bar. Rice with ANOTHER smart bit of defending in between.
09:28 PM BST
63 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Just before the Real subs, Rice made a crucial interception to stop a dangerous Real break when Lewis-Skelly was caught forward. Then Rice wins another loose ball in midfield before a Martinelli nutmeg.
We mentioned before the game that Real tend to leave their comebacks late, and it will have to be the same story here.
Bellingham with an aimless cross that skips out for an Arsenal goal kick.
09:26 PM BST
61 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
The Arsenal corner was too close to Courtois. Then Lewis-Skelly produced a driving run through midfield and looked for a foul, and it looked like Rudiger deliberately trod on him in a delicate area. No sign of a VAR check.
Here come the subs: Fran Garcia, Ceballos and Endrick on for Alaba, Vazquez and Rodrygo.
The game is opening up. Madrid have to go for it, after all. It’s giving Arsenal more space to play their passing game.
09:23 PM BST
59 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real are readying a couple of changes: Endrick and Ceballos are about to be introduced in a double sub.
From the corner a few minutes earlier, it was awkward for Raya under his bar but he batted the ball over.
Odegaard then looked to have sent Saka through, but Asensio gets across to defend at the expense of a corner.
09:22 PM BST
57 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal with a sustained spell of possession, with every player including Raya involved, which brings the Oles! from the away fans and whistles from the home fans.
The away side being high up the pitch means there is space in behind for Vinicius and Mbappe, and there was almost a mix up at the back from Arsenal but Kiwior recovered well. Vinicius’ shot was comfortably saved by Raya.
Vinicius then wins a corner, but once again Timber stopped the cross.
09:18 PM BST
53 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Jurrien Timber penalised for a foul throw. Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans will be pleased that he was not booked for it. Martinelli then wins a clever flick on into the path of Odegaard but the Arsenal captain always looked offside and was eventually flagged.
Great run forward from Bellingham who looked away from Rice, but the Arsenal man did well enough to ease him out without conceding a penalty. Clever.
From the corner, Mbappe’s glancing header was nowhere near.
09:16 PM BST
51 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Rudiger with a poor pass out from the back and Partey pounces and wins a foul. That gives Arsenal the chance to gain some territory after a fairly passive first five minutes of the second half. Rice whips the free-kick into the box, but Merino’s header from a long way out is over the bar.
09:14 PM BST
49 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real Madrid seeing all of the ball and enjoying all of the territory early in the second half. As comfortable as Arsenal have looked defending their box, this is still a goal away from potentially getting hairy. It only takes a deflection or moment of chaos in the box.
Rice and Partey then shut out Mbappe and Bellingham, and to Bellingham’s disgust the ball bounces for an Arsenal goal kick.
09:12 PM BST
47 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
For the first time tonight, Mbappe gets the wrong side of Saliba but Real cross again and Arsenal head clear. Better again from Mbappe to spread play from left to right and Real win a corner. Saka volleys clear at the back post.
09:10 PM BST
We are back under way in the second half!
From kick off, Vazquez is penalised for a push on Lewis-Skelly.
09:06 PM BST
Carvajal confronts Saka at half time
PELEA ENTRE SAKA Y CARVAJAL. pic.twitter.com/hGMWOi4tQk
— _reyblanco_ (@_reyyblancoo_) April 16, 2025
09:03 PM BST
Still that chance of Real grandstand finish
There was a small sign of Madrid desperation at the end of that first half, as Rudiger went up front to challenge for a long-range punt. Instead of winning the ball, he conceded a silly foul. It’s not flowing for the Spanish side, at all. But how often have we seen this in the past, before they suddenly turn it on in the second half? It’s not over. It could be 0-0 at 80 minutes and it still wouldn’t be over.
08:57 PM BST
HT: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal would have taken a goalless and uneventful half. They got one of those. A tale of two penalty incidents and VAR checks: one give for Arsenal which Saka missed and one for Real overturned. I think the consensus will be the right decision was reached, Rice did not pull or grab Mbappe’s shirt, but it took an eternity. As the half wore on, Arsenal looked ever more comfortable defensively. There have been chances, not just Saka’s penalty. They just need to be more decisive up top and they can finish Real off.
08:54 PM BST
52 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
We are into the last minute of the first half. Timber is clever to buy a foul and allow Raya to kick long.
08:52 PM BST
51 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real Madrid look to be running out of ideas, and are pumping crosses into the area. Raya claims this one with ease.
Then Martinelli drills a shot at Courtois from a tight angle after Rice found him. Could Rice have taken the shot himself! Startling amount of time and space for Arsenal in the final third again.
Around 90 seconds for Arsenal to negotiate.
08:52 PM BST
49 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Partey with a scooped pass into the box for Martinelli’s run but his control lets him down. The one nit you could pick with Arsenal so far is their front players not taking advantage of the positions they have found.
08:50 PM BST
47 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Odegaard in a promising position on the break but he played the ball behind Martinelli. There is so much room for Arsenal’s main playmaker but his accuracy is letting him down. Arsenal need better from him. Tchouameni tries an overly ambitious shot which is easily blocked and Lewis-Skelly clears. Play stops for a Real head injury.
08:48 PM BST
45 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
There are going to be SEVEN minutes of added time. Arsenal are packing their penalty area with bodies and repelling the Real crosses at the moment. But concede in this period of stoppage time and the complexion would change.
08:47 PM BST
45 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
This feels an important spell for Arsenal to survive, but it is really clever from Saka to get in front of Vazquez to win a free-kick on halfway. Score before half time and this would be the perfect half for the visitors.
This could change in an instant but it feels like Arsenal are taking control of this game now. They are under pressure, of course, but Madrid are not producing waves of dangerous attacks.
Arteta’s team appear relatively comfortable dealing with crosses and corners. They have always been good at that, pretty much ever since he was appointed in 2019.
08:46 PM BST
43 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
That was one of Real’s more dangerous moments. Vazquez with a hopeful cross that flicked off an Arsenal head an Rudiger was not far away on the stretch. A corner then drops in the Arsenal six-yard box and is scrambled clear.
Odegaard cannot find an exit, and Real keep the pressure on. This is a better spell. They win another corner from a deflected Vinicius cross but Merino heads clear.
08:44 PM BST
41 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal with a similar kind of wide free-kick to defend than the penalty incident, but Saliba heads clear well. Timber then blocks a cross at the expense of a Real Madrid corner. Rudiger and Timber involved in some wrestling in the box. Raya punches clear… strong goalkeeping.
08:41 PM BST
39 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Excellent delivery from Saka but there was a foul in the middle by Partey. Real Madrid enjoy some possession, but it is all in front of Arsenal’s shape. Rice and Merino are winning so many second balls and 50:50s in the front of the Arsenal defence and it helps them move up the pitch and win a couple of throw-ins.
08:39 PM BST
37 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Arsenal looking quite solid in their defensive structure now. It feels like they have survived a dangerous spell in the game after Saka’s missed penalty, but there is still so much time to play. In a sign of Real’s frustration, they play an aimless long ball forward. Raya is booked for time wasting at the resulting goal kick.
Nice flick round the corner from Merino to combine with Saka, and Arsenal now have a corner.
08:37 PM BST
34 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Rudiger with a naughty foul on Merino, which gives Arsenal the chance to send a free-kick into the box. The ball dropped for Timber to take a snap shot inside the box but the effort was always rising over Courtois’ bar.
08:35 PM BST
32 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Mbappe with a decent attempt at a curler into the top corner, but Raya is comfortable enough letting it fly past the angle of post and bar. In a double boost for Arsenal, Rice’s rescinded yellow means he is not suspended for the semi (as things stand).
Rice then helps Arsenal break into space and find Saka, but Odegaard then dallied when there was a chance to shoot and tried to chip the ball back to Saka.
Saka then wins a foul from Alaba. Real have threatened in flashes, but there is so much space out there for Arsenal to attack if they stay composed and pick the right shot or pass.
08:32 PM BST
30 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
As we were then. Loud whistles and jeers from the Bernabeu crowd after the referee made the box signal to overturn his original decision. It was overturned because Rice was not deemed to have made a foul.
For the first time tonight, it’s the Arsenal fans who can be heard at the Bernabeu. That decision to overturn the penalty has momentarily knocked some wind from the lungs of the Madridistas. It probably helped Arsenal, too, that it took so long for the decision to be made.
08:31 PM BST
NO PENALTY!
What drama.. if you like standing around for five minutes. That seems a fair outcome though, and Rice’s yellow is chalked off.
A penalty for Real Madrid is overturned following a VAR review on Declan Rice’s challenge.
The deadlock is yet to be broken at the Bernabéu 🔐
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/i78Fon4BWn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
08:29 PM BST
This has now been a three-minute VAR check
The referee is stood still completely impassive. There is a hint of offside.
He is actually coming over to the monitor…he is checking whether the contact from Rice was sufficient.
08:27 PM BST
PENALTY REAL!
Declan Rice has been penalised for a supposed shirt pull on Mbappe. There looked to be no hint of a shirt pull or tug, he barely had his hands on the Real forward. Rice has been booked, maybe for his reaction, and will now miss the PSG first leg if Real get through.
A lengthy VAR check is ongoing, though.
08:25 PM BST
23 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
William Saliba has just produced some outstanding one-on-one defending against Mbappe in the box, ushering the ball behind for a goal kick.
A little sloppy and overcomplicated from Arsenal when there was time and space to play through midfield. They tried to have Martinelli run diagonally across the pitch but it was cut out.
Odegaard then caught on it, and Real apply some pressure with a wide free-kick. Rodrygo went for the spectacle but miscued.
Magnificent one-against-one defending by Saliba, completely shutting down Mbappe and ushering the ball out of play. The Arsenal fans in the away end celebrated it like a goal.
08:23 PM BST
20 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Lewis-Skelly with another driving run through midfield which draws a foul, much to the frustration of the Real Madrid players and then crowd. Kiwior overhits an attempted long ball into the channel for Martinelli. Then Rice makes a foul in midfield. Suits Arsenal if the game is bitty.
Bellingham then does ever so well to drive down the left and flash low cross across the six-yard box.
Arsenal have made it through the first 20 minutes unscathed, but they have to deal with the blow of missing that penalty.
08:20 PM BST
17 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Raya does well to bat away a corner that should not have been given. Partey blocks a long shot from Vazquez before Kiwior wins an important defensive header in his penalty box. An attempted switch out to Rodrygo runs out for an Arsenal goal kick.
08:18 PM BST
15 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
That is the type of incident that will strengthen Real Madrid’s belief that this is a night when extraordinary things can happen. Arsenal and Saka blow the chance to score the game’s first goal, but they do look threatening whenever they come forward.
08:16 PM BST
COURTOIS SAVES!
Saka goes for the Panenka and gets it all wrong! Not enough power and to the same side as Courtois who palms the ball away. That was a strange choice from Saka. I’m not sure he has ever taken a penalty like that.
I can’t recall Bukayo Saka ever taking a penalty like that before. He’s put them down the middle in the past but I am certain he has never tried to chip it in that manner. It’s an extraordinary decision. It did not pay off.
BUKAYO SAKA MISSES! ⛔
Real Madrid have a lifeline…
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/1meC2fURLC
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2025
08:14 PM BST
ARSENAL PENALTY!
Out of nowhere, the referee goes to the monitor and gives Arsenal a penalty for the incident at the corner Courtois claimed 90 seconds ago. Nobody really appealed, or knew what was happening. But on the screen, Asensio is shown to be pulling back Merino in the area.
What a moment for Arsenal. Odegaard stands over it, but then hands the ball to Saka…
08:13 PM BST
10 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Real had a promising attack but Rice intercepted. Arsenal broke, with Saka threatening again, but Odegaard failed to play the one-two when it was on. Saka looking so dangerous.
08:11 PM BST
8 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Alaba is scared stiff of Saka and cannot go near him now on a yellow. The Arsenal winger cuts inside and curls an good effort towards the far corner which Courtois has to push away. The ball goes out for a throw and then Arsenal win a corner.
Too close to Courtois and the goalkeeper claims.
08:09 PM BST
6 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
Lewis-Skelly twisting and turning in midfield wonderfully to win a foul against Bellingham. From a Martinelli cross, Timber and Odegaard counter-press to keep the pressure on. Saka then lets fly from a tight angle and the ball flashes wide of the far post. Mikel Merino goes down claiming a head injury. The home crowd are whistling any perceived time-wasting.
This is an open game. Saliba gets a head to Rodrygo’s cross, who beat Lewis-Skelly a little easily.
It would be reasonable to worry about Myles Lewis-Skelly tonight, given the size of the occasion and the atmosphere here. But his first action of note was to completely spin Jude Bellingham, leaving his England team-mate scrambling on the floor. The teenager backs himself.
08:07 PM BST
4 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
This has been a fast a furious start, which maybe spells danger for Arsenal. For the second time, Real are able to break at pace down the left, but Lewis-Skelly cleared Mbappe’s low cross. Then Alaba cleaned out Bukayo Saka with a tackle so late it belonged in the semi-final. Yellow card for the Real left-back. A long time to play against Saka.
08:06 PM BST
2 minutes: Real Madrid 0 Arsenal 0 (Agg: 0-3)
There has not been much football played so far, but Arsenal have some early territory. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s throw-in however, flies straight out for a goal kick.
An early scare for Arsenal at the other end though. Vinicius’ shot across goal was turned in by Mbappe but he was about four yards offside. Never a question about the decision.
Timber won a tackle in midfield but was then caught forward.
08:03 PM BST
How the Bernabeau sounded at kick-off
08:03 PM BST
KICK OFF!
Arsenal get the game started, and Raya kicks for territory from the off.
08:02 PM BST
A minute’s silence
One of two Real luminaries being remembered is former coach Leo Beenhakker. His funeral procession when past Feyenoord’s stadium today. The Dutchman won three La Liga titles.
07:58 PM BST
A mix of whistles and cheers over the Champions League anthem
No chance of the Europa League theme playing at the Bernabeu. I doubt it is on the stadium playlist. It probably is not allowed to be played within a two-mile radius.
07:57 PM BST
Real’s tifo
As is their custom before a big European game the Real Madrid fans have unfurled a huge tifo. This one shows a bearded, God-like figure playing chess. Either side of it there is a banner which reads: Fabrico de los suenos haz el nuestro Madrid (I make dreams, make our Real).
07:56 PM BST
The players are in the tunnel
Arsenal will be wearing their black away kit. That seemed initially confusing, but then Arsenal do have white shorts as well as sleeves. In 2006, Arsenal wore a yellow away kit.
07:54 PM BST
This would be a good night for Martin Odegaard to find his shooting boots
Back at the club where he moved as a 15-year-old. For the first time in his Arsenal career, Odegaard has scored fewer goals than his expected goals figure this season. His wayward shooting has been a source of frustration, especially when two seasons ago he scored 15 goals from open play. The Arsenal captain does a lot of organising on the pitch, but those individual moments of quality have not quite been there (in a season which started with an ankle injury).
07:45 PM BST
More from Arteta on TNT
Very focused and very determined. We know the challenge and the opportunity ahead. Go and embrace it!
[On Real changes] Within the formation and the approach they have… at the end, the players make the difference – we will understand what they want to do first.
07:43 PM BST
Real Madrid’s defence still looks vulnerable
With Arsenal, as expected, unchanged the big talking points are around the Real Madrid line-up. That mainly revolves around moving Fede Valverde from being the makeshift right-back back into midfield. The Uruguayan will undoubtedly strengthen Real in the middle – with Eduardo Camavinga suspended and 39-year-old Luka Modric can on the bench – but they may be weaker in defence where Lucas Vazquez is filling in and can be got at. Given how David Alaba struggled at left-back against Bukayo Saka last week then getting the ball out wide might well be Arsenal’s most productive tactic.
07:41 PM BST
‘If anyone can do it, it’s Madrid’
Here’s an example of the Madrid media machine we referenced earlier. The football media environment in Spain is very, very different to the UK. This is the front page of Marca today:
🗞️ Marca’s Cover | If anyone can do it, it’s Madrid. pic.twitter.com/twzsKUiDjN
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) April 16, 2025
07:37 PM BST
Arteta speaking on TNT about the weight of first 15 minutes
It is always very important to start with a positive vibe and a good feeling. We will try to do that, but it’s going to be a long game so it’s not only about the start.
At this level every action matters. Every action changes momentum.
07:32 PM BST
Likewise Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal
18 – Myles-Lewis Skelly is one of only three players aged 18 to start a knockout stage match away to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, after Cesc Fàbregas in February 2006 (Arsenal) and Max Meyer in March 2014 (FC Schalke 04). Occasion. pic.twitter.com/JnBv7TUXCg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2025
07:32 PM BST
Bellingham following in the footsteps of a Real legend
47 – Jude Bellingham is making his 47th appearance in the UEFA Champions League tonight, equalling the most by a player aged 21 or under in the competition’s history (level with Iker Casillas, 47). Leader. pic.twitter.com/GdUBew3ysq
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 16, 2025
07:23 PM BST
Arsenal fans making most of the noise under the Bernabeu roof
It has been raining on and off all day in Madrid but that is not the reason why the retractable roof is closed this evening at the impressively revamped Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Real Madrid made the request to Uefa – which was granted – in the belief that it will improve even more what is expected to be a raucous atmosphere.
At the moment, ahead of kick-off, the noise is being made by the large wedge of Arsenal fans high up in the stands who have managed to get a drum inside the stadium and are singing “allez, allez, allez”. Inevitably it has been met with whistles by the Real Madrid supporters.
07:22 PM BST
David Raya did Arsenal’s pre-match media
I think Arsenal’s goalkeeper is key to their chances tonight, but not for the reasons you might think. He could well need to make some telling saves, but he is the player who can set the tone at the base of Arsenal’s team with his distribution. Along with Saliba and Kiwior, the overload created with Raya against Real’s front two was the foundation of Arsenal establishing midfield control further up. If Raya’s first few passes are clean, Arsenal can settle. If he makes an error or kicks a few long balls astray, it is coming straight back.
07:13 PM BST
Real Madrid fans backing up outside the Bernabeu
07:04 PM BST
The view from outside the Bernabeu with Sam
07:03 PM BST
Bellingham gets himself in the zone
As usual Jude Bellingham has walked out to the centre circle and around the pitch on his own. The Real Madrid midfielder does it before every game, even at home where he is obviously familiar with the surroundings. It helps him visualise. It feels like he is motivated for a big night, having been the player who did the pre-match press conference, and after being eclipsed by his England team-mate Declan Rice in last week’s first leg.
06:59 PM BST
The comeback could happen… but it shouldn’t
Within seconds of the final whistle in north London last week, the Madrid machine was fired up. The players, coaches, supporters and Spanish media have all been banging the same drum for the past few weeks: the comeback, or “remontada”, is on.
Much of this, of course, is strategic. The more they talk about it, the more they believe it. And the more they believe it, the more likely it is to happen. You can feel it in the air in Madrid, where thousands of fans lined the streets to welcome the team bus with flares, flags and songs. It was quite the sight.
Can the “remontada” really happen? Yes, obviously. Strange things take place at the Bernabeu all the time, especially in European competition.
But we should not get too carried away by the vibes and the emotion here, because it remains highly unlikely that Arsenal will exit the competition. Madrid have never overturned a deficit like this in the Champions League, and Arsenal’s defensive record is exceptional: they have only conceded 0.55 goals per game in Europe this season and have the best defence in the Premier League.
Thousands of Real Madrid fans greet the team bus outside the Bernabeu pic.twitter.com/liBOKjKzvy
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) April 16, 2025
06:57 PM BST
Arsenal team news: Arteta picks unchanged team from first leg
Starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Odegaard, Rice; Saka, Merino, Martinelli
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, White, Zinchenko, Trossard, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji, Gower, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Rosiak
06:54 PM BST
Myles Lewis-Skelly… does he feel pressure?
Arsenal’s left-back (but really a midfielder for much of the game) was absolutely superb in the first leg, stepping in between Mbappe and Vinicus and the Real midfield to receive and turn in dangerous areas. In this piece, Sam Dean looks at how Lewis-Skelly uses his arms to protect the ball and drive away from opponents, muck like Jonah Lomu. This piece looks at the rise of Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri as a pair, while this piece reveals how Lewis-Skelly’s mother is helping protect other academy parents from the pitfalls that lurk in a ruthless and unscrupulous sport.
Maybe he is on the phone to her here. Much like on the pitch, if Lewis-Skelly is nervous he does well to hide it.
06:48 PM BST
Already a perceptible raise of Carlo Ancelotti’s left eyebrow
06:46 PM BST
Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri taking it all in
06:45 PM BST
Both sets of players have arrived
06:44 PM BST
How will Arsenal approach this?
I think predictions of a 100-minute attack vs defence session have been slightly overcooked. Real Madrid are not Klopp’s Liverpool, a pressing machine who can suffocate teams close to their own goal. The first leg showed that Arsenal, if they keep their nerve, can play through, over or around this Real team.
Arsenal have been criticised this season for not playing enough riskier passes into central attacking positions, preferring to funnel the ball to their wingers. But looking at Real’s team, that could be a virtue this evening. Tchouameni and Valverde are strong ball-winners who will be looking to intercept and release their forwards at pace.
Martinelli vs Vazquez and Saka vs Alaba look favourable duels for Arsenal, so playing the percentages with their passing could be a wise strategy.
06:38 PM BST
A great view of the crowd outside the stadium
🤍 Bernabéu ✖️ Madridistas 🤍 pic.twitter.com/S3QgRA9ZPx
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 16, 2025
06:17 PM BST
Arsenal’s hype video
History. It’s time to create our own. pic.twitter.com/ddzgNifvOe
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2025
06:13 PM BST
Assessing that Real team news
Compared to the first-leg, there is far more running power and steel in Real’s midfield tonight with a Valverde-Tchouameni axis rather than Modric-Camavinga. Tchouameni returns from suspension, with Camavinga missing this game after his red card at the Emirates.
Carlo Ancelotti has a case of Rafael Benitez’s blanket problem, because by strengthening his midfield he has maybe exposed his right-back zone. Lucas Vazquez, 33, is a winger by trade and very much a stand-in option.
Bukayo Saka had the beating of David Alaba in the first leg, so he and Gabriel Martinelli will be key to Arsenal’s chances of doing damage.
06:06 PM BST
Real Madrid team and subs: Vazquez right-back with Valverde in midfield
📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Arsenalpic.twitter.com/TD5jcRhpvQ— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 16, 2025
06:02 PM BST
Real fans line the street waiting to greet the team coach
It is not just a Liverpool thing, then. Maybe you need a minimum number of European Cups to justify it.
06:01 PM BST
The hunt for the barmiest piece pre-match content
It might well have come from one of the pundits on television show El Chiringuito. With thanks to Sport Witness for the translation.
“It’s Holy Week and you know that God, God is a Real Madrid fan. God is from Real Madrid,” the man in question said.
“He who made us all. He’s from Real Madrid. He wears the Real Madrid shirt. He wears the Real Madrid crest. Don’t fight each other again.”
05:56 PM BST
What Arteta expects from Real Madrid
Our approach is to win it. The same as we did in London,” Arteta told a news conference on Tuesday.
Real Madrid are going to try to take us places we don’t want to go. I understand it because it is part of their history and they have the right to be talking about these kinds of (comeback) scenarios.
We have to show the mindset to win. To be brave, to be dominant and to be determined. We need to have the conviction that we can be better than them and win the game.
05:43 PM BST
Some of Jude Bellingham’s pre-match thoughts
It was one of the worst [first leg] results we could possibly imagine, and for some reason everyone thinks it’s nailed-on that we will come back. It’s a nice feeling, I have to say.
It means there’s a lot of trust in the talent. It means that you’re at a club that’s like no other, the best in the world, and that’s what it represents and signifies to me. I think there’s an expectation of Real Madrid that when we get in these holes we can come back. In England it’s not as common but it does happen. The club have done it so many times, so the expectations are huge.
05:33 PM BST
Tonight’s venue looks far more impressive inside than outside
In an intriguing pre-match titbit, the roof of the Bernabeu is going to be closed after Uefa accepted a request from the club to do so. Presumably the idea is it helps to build the atmosphere inside the stadium.
Arsenal did win an FA Cup final under a roof: they won 1-0 against Southampton at Cardiff’s then Millennium Stadium in 2003. Their record under a roof since? Your guess is as good as mine.
05:26 PM BST
The ‘dark magic’ of the Bernabeu
Sam Dean has taken a close look at where Real’s confidence in achieving improbable comebacks comes from, and some of the highlights from recent seasons. The interesting thing is just how late these goals have come.
Last season, Madrid scored twice in the final two minutes of the match through Joselu to beat Bayern Munich.
In their 2022 semi-final, they scored twice in two stoppage-time minutes to defeat Manchester City.
Earlier that season, Madrid were trailing by two goals with 30 minutes remaining of their second leg against Paris St-Germain. Karim Benzema promptly scored three goals, the third of which was converted only 11 seconds after his second.
When Chelsea visited Madrid under the management of Thomas Tuchel, they were 10 minutes from victory when Luka Modric produced the most extraordinary assist.
So for all the talk of Madrid tearing out of the traps, it could be that they are happy to play the long game and prey on any Arsenal vulnerabilities closer to the finish line.
05:16 PM BST
Player face masks seem to be popular among Real fans
05:14 PM BST
Yellow card watch
Arsenal’s priority must be quelling Real Madrid’s attacks and making sure they qualify first, but it is worth noting they have four players at risk of missing the first leg against PSG should they pick up a yellow card. Those players are: Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli. All starters, but given the strength of PSG’s midfield and threat on the flanks the availability of Timber and Rice feel critical.
For Real Madrid, Antonio Rudiger, Luka Modric and Endrick are the players who are one booking away from suspension.
Yellow cards are wiped after this round, but suspensions from yellows awarded in the quarter-final carry forward.
A long way to go yet, but these risks might inform Arteta’s subs should Arsenal find themselves in a comfortable position.
05:06 PM BST
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05:04 PM BST
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal reign could be shaped by this night
There are many shades of grey in football, but for Arsenal this evening the picture is stark. See off Real Madrid with the help of a three-goal lead and a first Champions League semi-final since 2009 awaits; concede that advantage however, and it would be one of the most painful collapses in the club’s modern history.
Looking at the situation dispassionately, it is far more likely to be a joyous night for Mikel Arteta’s team than a chastening one, but they are stalked by the fear of a possible Real comeback. Or at least nervous Arsenal fans are, while Madridistas and a partisan Spanish press bang the drum for another remontada.
Both camps sounded fairly bullish in the build-up, but they would wouldn’t they? Jude Bellingham said talk of turning around this quarter-final started on the Real team bus as it left the Emirates after the first-leg defeat. David Raya and Mikel Arteta emphasised that Arsenal were coming to the Santiago Bernabéu with the same aggressive mindset and an intent to win on the night.
Real have pulled off late turnarounds in home second legs to punish PSG, Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich in recent memory, but they have never retrieved a three-goal deficit in the Champions League era. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will need to improve markedly on their efforts in the first leg, when they were too easy to play through and dominated in midfield. There were still moments when Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe flashed the speed and threat that means scoring three or four tonight is not unthinkable.
Aside from the loss of Jorginho, there are no fresh injury problems for Arsenal with Arteta expected to name an unchanged team. How Arsenal go about managing the game with a three-goal lead will be interesting. Caution and mistake-avoidance are in order, but ceding the initiative can be dangerous. Thibaut Courtois made three or four excellent saves last week, aside from Declan Rice’s two free-kicks and Mikel Merino’s strike. That suggests Arsenal will create more chances if they continue to play forward. Scoring a goal, or more, would be the best way of extinguishing a comeback.
