Arsenal ended Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League campaign with a commanding 2-1 away victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, securing a 5-1 aggregate win to return to the semi-finals after 15 years.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli found the net for the visitors, while Vinícius Júnior’s equaliser in the second half offered Madrid a glimmer of hope that never truly materialised. The encounter, however, was heavily influenced by VAR, which intervened in two key penalty decisions, denying Real Madrid a first-half opportunity to go ahead.
“There was a lot of talk coming here about (Real Madrid) coming back, because they've done it so many times before,” said Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice. “But we had so much belief and confidence from that first game to come here and win. We had it in our minds and now we've done it in real life.”
Madrid, seeking a third Champions League crown in four years, failed to produce their usual late drama at home. It was their first exit from the last four since 2020, as Arsenal held firm to protect their sizeable first-leg advantage.
Arsenal had earlier squandered a penalty when Saka’s spot-kick was saved by Thibaut Courtois following a VAR review of a foul by Raúl Asencio on Mikel Merino. Moments later, Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé saw his penalty overturned after a five-minute VAR check deemed Declan Rice’s hold insufficient for a foul.
Saka made amends in the 65th minute with a well-placed shot inside the box, assisted by Merino. Vinícius equalised almost immediately, capitalising on a defensive lapse by William Saliba, but Martinelli restored Arsenal’s lead in stoppage time, also set up by Merino.
“This is one of the best nights in my football career, for sure,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “It’s a really special one against a team that has been an inspiration for a lot of us in this competition. To win this tie in the manner that we have, we can be very proud.”
Real Madrid were further demoralised when Mbappé was substituted in the 75th minute due to an apparent injury and was met with jeers from sections of the crowd. The French striker, still without a Champions League title, struggled to impose himself across both legs.
“It’s a tough moment,” said Madrid winger Lucas Vázquez. “We tried but in the end we couldn’t achieve our goal. We’ll come back stronger. Madrid always does.”
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti remained pragmatic about the defeat and his future at the club. “We have to hold our heads high because we did very well in this competition in recent years,” he said. “This year we have to endure and suffer. In sport, this can happen because there are no invincible teams.”
Ancelotti added: “Maybe the club will decide to make a change. It could be this year or next year, when my contract runs out. The day I finish here I can only do one thing and that is to thank this club.”
Madrid began brightly and had a goal ruled out for offside in the second minute. Arsenal’s defensive organisation and confidence from the first leg meant that even Madrid’s trademark Bernabeu magic was insufficient.
Arsenal will now face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, while Inter Milan will take on Barcelona in the other semi-final tie.
The Gunners, who last reached the final in 2006, remain on track to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history.
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