Arsenal pulled off a historic triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate to book their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years.

Arsenal pulled off a historic triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate to book their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years.

 

Carrying a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s side entered the second leg full of confidence but aware of the threat Madrid posed at home. The Spanish giants started brightly, pressing high and testing Arsenal’s backline, but it was the visitors who struck first. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 28th minute, calmly finishing off a flowing counter-attack after being teed up by Martin Ødegaard.

 

Madrid responded before the break, with Vinícius Júnior curling a fine effort past David Raya to equalize on the night and momentarily spark hope in the home crowd. But any momentum was short-lived. In the 58th minute, Gabriel Jesus capitalized on a defensive error, slotting home Arsenal’s second of the evening and silencing the Bernabéu.

 

Real Madrid, record 14-time European champions, threw everything forward in the final half hour, but a disciplined Arsenal defense held firm. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães were outstanding at the back, snuffing out danger and maintaining composure under pressure.

 

The final whistle confirmed Arsenal’s passage to the last four of Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2009. It was a performance that underlined their growing maturity and intent on the continental stage, and a statement of belief that this side is ready to challenge Europe’s elite.

 

With momentum building and confidence sky-high, Arsenal fans can now dream of a first-ever Champions League final, as they await the winner of Bayern Munich vs. Manchester City in the semi-finals.