Real Madrid and Arsenal saga

In a stunning UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg on April 16, 2025, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, securing a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory and eliminating the defending champions from the tournament.​The Short FuseBukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 65th minute, redeeming himself after an earlier missed penalty. Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior equalized shortly after, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. However, Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win for the Gunners in stoppage time, finishing a swift counter-attack as Madrid pushed forward in search of a comeback.​The Short FuseArsenal's disciplined defense, featuring standout performances from William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, and Declan Rice, effectively neutralized Madrid's offensive threats. The team's tactical organization and physical superiority stifled Madrid's offense, reducing them to ineffective crosses. ​The Short FuseThe match was also notable for VAR interventions: one awarding Arsenal a penalty, which Saka missed, and another overturning a Real Madrid spot-kick. ​The Short FuseThis victory marks a significant milestone for Arsenal, propelling them into their first Champions League semi-final since 2009, where they will face a resurgent Paris Saint-Germain. ​