Arsenal Seal Historic 5-1 Aggregate Victory Over Real Madrid to Reach Champions League Semis

Arsenal put in a dominant display to secure a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, advancing to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a commanding 5-1 aggregate score. It was a historic achievement for the Gunners, who hadn’t reached the last four since 2009.

The first leg, played at the Emirates on April 8, had already set the tone. A stunning 3-0 win, courtesy of two incredible free-kicks from Declan Rice and a third from Mikel Merino, had put Arsenal in a near-unassailable position.

In Madrid, despite their commanding lead, Arsenal showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas. Real Madrid fans were hopeful of a famous "remontada," drawing on the club's rich history of overturning deficits in European competition. But the Gunners wasted no time in quelling any hope of a comeback.

After a penalty save from Courtois in the 13th minute denied Bukayo Saka, the young star redeemed himself in the 65th minute with a perfectly chipped finish over the Belgian keeper to extend the aggregate lead to 4-0. Real Madrid found a glimmer of hope just two minutes later when Vinícius Júnior pounced on a defensive error from William Saliba to score, giving the home crowd a brief moment of belief.

But Arsenal’s defense, expertly organized and resolute, refused to buckle. As the game entered stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli capped off a historic night by breaking through and scoring a brilliant solo effort to seal the win at 2-1. The aggregate score was 5-1, and Arsenal had made history.

Throughout the match, Arsenal demonstrated tactical discipline and composure. Manager Mikel Arteta’s game plan was executed to perfection, with the team staying compact and forcing Real Madrid into wide areas, where they struggled to create clear-cut chances. Declan Rice, who had already been a standout in the first leg, continued to dominate the midfield battle, narrowly escaping a VAR-overturned penalty decision in the early stages of the second half.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, reflecting on the experience, spoke of the intimidating atmosphere at the Bernabéu but highlighted the collective strength and unity within the squad that saw them through the challenge.

The win marked Arsenal’s third ever victory over Real Madrid in European competition, maintaining an unbeaten record (W3 D1) against the Spanish giants. With 30 goals scored in the 2024/25 Champions League campaign, Arsenal also set a new club record for goals in a single season, showcasing their attacking prowess and exceptional form in Europe.