L'Arsenal also routs the Bernabeu: Real Madrid knockout

Arsenal in the Champions League semifinals, 16 years after the’last time. The Gunners come out largely dominant in the double clash with Real Madrid, also beaten at home after losing the first leg in London. In fact, the challenge at the Santiago Bernabeu ended 2-1 for the Gunners, with Martinelli’s decisive goal after the back-and-forth between Saka and Vinicius. Waiting for the English is now PSG, in the other semifinal will be a challenge between Inter and Barcelona.

Real Madrid, which believes in the feat, starts off strong and makes the Bernabeu scream: as early as 3′ Mbappé scores, but the goal is not there because of offside. But Arsenal immediately shows its strength, with a triple chance signed by Saka. Then Merino wins a penalty, awarded by Var for a foul by Asencio, but Courtois rejects Saka’s own attempt at conversion. Who, moreover, had had the ball conceded by Odegaard.

The’episode could transform the match, but it didn&#8217t: referee Letexier helped himself to the Var to take away a penalty to Mbappé that he had initially awarded, then (apart from a Timber shot from distance) it was pretty much just Real Madrid. Mbappé, Rudiger and Bellingham, however, do not find the goal. Instead, on 65′ Saka does, with a splendid lob on an assist from Merino that puts Arsenal ahead.

Real Madrid tried to hang on to qualification, and as early as 67′ they equalized with Vinicius skillful in taking advantage of a Saliba slight on Raya’s short pass. The Blancos, however, did not take advantage of the wave: Valverde missed the go-ahead goal, on the other side Odegaard tried twice. Palpitating minutes of recovery: Brahim Diaz and Endrick don&#8217t find the way to goal, Martinelli does. And for Arsenal the celebration is total.