Real Madrid v Arsenal result — Champions League latest as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli book semi-final spot

Champions League / Quarter-final
Bernabéu / 16.04.2025
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Aggregate score 1-5
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ARSENAL THROUGH AS HOLDERS REAL MADRID EXIT WITH A WHIMPER
Arsenal set up a Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain as they overcame Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate with a brilliant 2-1 win in the second leg.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scored as the Gunners sealed their progress to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, as holders Madrid turned in a flat display at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Saka was involved in the thick of the action when his poor penalty was kept out by Thibaut Courtois in the 13th minute, before Madrid had a penalty awarded, but then overturned, after Kylian Mbappe went down under pressure from Declan Rice.
Yet Mikel Arteta’s team were largely untroubled by a lacklustre Madrid, and the Gunners deservedly went ahead when Saka lifted over Courtois at the end of a slick move.
Vinicius Junior pounced on William Saliba’s mistake to restore parity on the night two minutes later, but Martinelli capped a famous Arsenal win deep in second-half stoppage time. 
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Image credit: Getty Images

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RICE SPEAKS
Player of the Match Declan Rice has been speaking to TNT Sports.
On the game: "Back-to-back [Player of the Match awards]. It’s such a special night for this club, it’s a historic night for this club. We have an objective in this competition, we want to play the best teams. We want to win this competition.
"There was a lot of talk about [Madrid] coming back, because they’ve come back so many times before, but we had a lot of confidence about coming here and winning the game. We knew we were going to suffer, but we knew we were going to win. We did it in real life. What a night for the club."
On Arsenal's objectives: "I sensed it when I signed, we were on an upward trajectory for the club. It’s been tough in the Premier League, but in this competition we’ve done exceptionally well. We all fully believe it. We’ve got full trust in this manager, he’s unbelievable. We’ve got young lads who really want it as well. We just want to take tonight in, take it one step at a time. We’ve got PSG next, who are an amazing team.
On Madrid's overturned penalty: "I knew it wasn’t a penalty. I had my arm on him but you have to do that in the box. I’m an honesty guy. I said to [Mbappe] straight away, it wasn’t a pen. We just had to stay calm, we were a bit naive at times. I’m lost for words, it’s incredible.
On PSG: "They’re a top team, we’ve seen what they can do but we saw what Aston Villa did to them last night, and caused them a lot of problems, so we’ll be working hard."
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Image credit: Getty Images

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WHAT FOOTBALL IS ON TNT SPORTS?
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season. 
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination. 
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DOMINANT DECLAN
TNT Sports’ Ally McCoist: "Madrid have been outplayed, absolutely outplayed over two games. Where do you start with Arsenal? I’ve got to say, he will be abvsoiluytely thrilled, Mikel Arteta. Those two results, the level of performance will be beyond his wildest dreams. 
"The defence, the two-full backs, the midfielders - outstanding. Up front, Martnelli, Merino, Saka, worked their socks off. However, Declan Rice! He was monumental. He was the best player over the two games by some stretch.
"The two goals he scored last week were outrageous, but his level of performance tonight was magnificent."

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WHAT A NIGHT FOR THE GUNNERS
It's all over at the Santiago Bernabeu, where there was to be no comeback from Real Madrid. Instead, the Champions League holders were dumped out by a much better team over the two legs.
Arsenal were exceptional. They could have gone ahead early on through Saka, but he squanderd a spot-kick.
However, the visitors shrugged it off, dusted themselves down and restricted Madrid to absolutely nothing in attack, before Saka made amends with a cute finish not long after the hour.
Vinicius pounced on Saliba's error - his only mistake all game - to restore parity, but Ancelotti's team were poor, and the Gunners got a deserved winner in stoppage time through Martinelli's breakaway strike.
Arsenal now have a semi-final date against PSG to look forward to - it is their first appearance in the last four of the Champions League in 16 years. Madrid, meanwhile, must lick their wounds. They are second in LaLiga and have a cup final against Barcelona to come, though it does feel like the writing may be on the wall for Ancelotti.
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Image credit: Getty Images

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FULL TIME!
Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (1-5 on aggregate).
90+5'
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Arsenal
A TREBLE CHANGE FROM ARTETA
Martinelli, Timber and the brilliant Rice make way.
90+3'
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Arsenal
GOAL! - REAL MADRID 1-2 ARSENAL (1-5 AGG): MARTINELLI
Game, set, and match!
What a famous, famous night this is for Arsenal, as Martinelli races onto a throughball, breezes away from Garcia and duly slots home beyond Courtois.
Madrid are well beaten, Arsenal have been awesome, and they have capped their progress in style!
90+2'
ODEGAARD!
Former Madrid playmaker Odegaard lines up a hammer of a shot off his right foot, but it's straight at Courtois, who holds on at the second attempt.
90+1'
ENDRICK MISSES
As five minutes of stoppage time is announced, Vinicius stands up Timber before prodding a right-footed cross to the back post. Endrick takes a touch, but then lashes his finish over the bar.
90'
FINALLY, A SAVE TO MAKE
Raya is finally brought into action as he gets down low to keep hold of Brahim Diaz's attempt. That is about as busy as the Arsenal goalkeeper has been tonight - there was nothing he could have done for Madrid's equaliser.
89'
ALMOST THERE
We are into the final minutes of normal time now, and Arsenal can surely smell that semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
86'
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Real Madrid
RUDIGER YELLOW
He also gets a booking.
85'
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Arsenal
MADNESS FROM PARTEY
Partey gets dragged into a silly tussle with Rudiger, and gets a booking for his troubles. That means the midfielder, who has been excellent, will miss the first leg of the semi-final tie, should Arsenal make it of course.
83'
SUPER SALIBA
He might have made the error for Madrid's goal, but otherwise Saliba has been flawless. And he has just got across to make a fantastic challenge on Vinicius.
The ball went out off the Arsenal man, but the officials give a goal-kick.
82'
BRAZILIAN BRILLIANCE
It might prove fruitless for Madrid, but Vinicius' goal was his 105th for the club. That has seen him overtake Ronaldo Nazario as the club's leading Brazilian goalscorer.

80'
BRAVE DEFENDING
It's that man Rice again, as he charges out from the Arsenal wall to block a venomously struck free-kick from Valverde. What a performance it has been from Rice tonight! Arsenal are getting closer...
77'
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Arsenal
SAKA BOWS OUT
Well, Saka more than made amends for that earlier penalty miss with that deft finish to put Arsenal ahead on the night, prior to Vinicius' equaliser.
The winger has now made way, with Trossard on as his replacement, as Arsenal look to see this out now.
76'
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Real Madrid
MBAPPE GOES OFF
Ancelotti will not take any risks, and Mbappe has made way. Madrid have the Copa del Rey final coming up in just 10 days' time.
75'
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Real Madrid
MODRIC ON
Modric, 39 years young, is on for Madrid. Can the former Spurs man make a difference in the final stages?