Arsenal Triumphs Over Real Madrid, Securing Champions League Semifinal Spot

MADRID -- Arsenal has successfully defeated defending champions Real Madrid with a score of 2-1, booking a place in the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009. The match, held at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, was significantly influenced by VAR, which played a crucial role in the decisions regarding two penalties. Arsenal advanced to the semifinals with a convincing aggregate score of 5-1, having secured a 3-0 victory in the first leg in London last week. They are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.

Inter Milan also progressed past Bayern Munich on the same night, paving the way for a semifinal clash with Barcelona.

Real Madrid's aspirations for a historic comeback were dashed as they were unable to replicate their past heroics. This marks the first time since 2020 that the 15-time European champions will not be competing in the semifinals, putting an end to their hopes of clinching a third Champions League title in four seasons.

Arsenal's Declan Rice expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well after their impressive first-leg result, stating that the team maintained a strong belief throughout the match.

The momentum shifted significantly for Madrid when a five-minute VAR review overturned an initial penalty awarded for a foul on Kylian Mbappé in the first half while the score was still 0-0. Conversely, Arsenal had an opportunity for a penalty earlier in the match, but Bukayo Saka's attempt was thwarted by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal finally took the lead in the 65th minute when Saka capitalized on a pass from Mikel Merino to score from inside the penalty area. Madrid's Vinícius Júnior managed to level the score shortly thereafter following a defensive error, but Arsenal sealed their victory in stoppage time with a goal from Gabriel Martinelli, assisted once again by Merino.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta described the night as one of the highlights of his coaching career, expressing pride in his team's performance against a historically dominant club.

In a disappointing turn of events for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé was forced to leave the pitch in the 75th minute due to an apparent injury, drawing jeers from some fans in attendance. The French star, still searching for his first Champions League title, has faced scrutiny over his performances.

Lucas Vazquez of Madrid acknowledged the team's efforts but lamented their failure to achieve their goal, expressing optimism for a stronger comeback in future competitions.

From the outset, Madrid faced a challenging task. Arsenal had not lost by a three-goal margin in nearly three years, and historically, only a few teams have managed to overturn a three-goal deficit in the Champions League era. The last time Arsenal faced Madrid in the knockout stages was in 2005-06, when they reached the final but fell to Barcelona.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of keeping morale high despite the setback. He reflected on the team's successful run in the competition in recent years and acknowledged that such losses are part of sports. Ancelotti also addressed speculation regarding his future with the club, stating that he would be grateful for his time at Madrid, regardless of what the future holds.

With a strong crowd backing them, Madrid attempted to start aggressively, having a goal disallowed for offside just two minutes into the match. Arsenal was awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when Raúl Asencio committed a foul on Mikel Merino during a corner, but Saka's effort from the spot was saved.

As the match progressed, VAR was once again in the spotlight when a penalty awarded to Madrid for a foul on Mbappé was overturned following a lengthy review. The final outcome secured Arsenal's place in the semifinals and marked a significant achievement for the club.