Bukayo Saka helps Arsenal into UEFA Champions League semi-finals despite penalty miss against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu
Updated 17/04/2025 at 10:16 GMT+1
Arsenal will meet Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after beating defending champions Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. Bukayo Saka scored at the Bernabeu - having earlier missed a penalty - as Mikel Arteta's side won the second leg 2-1 to seal their progression in the competition. Saka spoke to TNT Sports after the match.
'I kept my head' - Saka refused to dwell on penalty miss before vital goal
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Bukayo Saka says he will "learn" from his panenka penalty miss against Real Madrid but is happy with his emphatic response to help his team reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Arriving at the Bernabeu with a 3-0 lead, Mikel Arteta’s side were given the chance to extend their advantage further when Mikel Merino was fouled by Raul Asencio in the box.
Saka stepped up to take the spot kick, but his tame effort was kept out by Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
However, it did not prove to be costly, largely thanks to Saka’s second-half opener, which saw the England forward delightfully dink the ball over Courtois as the Belgian tried to smother his effort.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match about his missed penalty and ultimate redemption, Saka said: "It can happen. I tried something and it didn’t work, but I was confident I was going to score tonight and I kept my head and I managed to do it in the second half.
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Highlights: Arsenal knock out holders Real Madrid
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"I learn in every moment. Obviously, I’ll learn from it and move forward, but tonight I’m more focused on enjoying the win and maybe tomorrow or next week I’ll review it properly."
Although Vinicius Junior equalised shortly after Saka broke the deadlock at the Bernabeu, Gabriel Martinelli ensured it would be Arsenal’s night to celebrate as he slotted home a late chance to make it 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
"I’m very, very proud of this team," Saka said.
"We showed that we can play in Europe and beat one of the best teams in the world home and away, so tonight was a big statement, and I’m so happy for everyone.
"We felt comfortable. We’re quite good when we get into a low block and we showed that again tonight, so I’m proud of everyone.
"It did take a lot of hard work, a lot of running, but we managed to do it."
Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, and it will be a tie which sees the sides reacquainted.
They met in the league phase, with Arsenal coming out on top in a 2-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.
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However, Saka is expecting a totally different proposition this time around.
"Much different. I see them playing with much more confidence," he said.
"We watched them again last night [against Aston Villa] and they were top, so we’ll be ready.
"It’ll be a big challenge, a very good match, but we’ll be ready."
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