Arsenal have advanced into the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2009 after knocking out the current holders, Real Madrid.
The result means that Arsenal remain unbeaten against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League and have only conceded one goal in four separate meetings.
Despite his penalty miss in the first half, Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock in the Spanish capital before Vinícius Júnior levelled things up on the night, but it was Gabriel Martinelli’s neat finish that has put the Gunners in dreamland.
Arsenal will now turn their attention to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final.
As it happened
‘It can happen again’, cried the newspapers in Madrid and the home faithful ahead of kick-off. They’d been in a similar position before, but this time was different.
Kylian Mbappe found the back of the net in the opening minutes but it was ruled out for offside, but that inspired the hosts.
Despite having a cushion in the game because of the aggregate scoreline, Arsenal remained to show intent when Bukayo Saka’s effort forced Thibaut Courtois into a low diving save in the seventh minute.
Against the run of play, Arsenal were awarded a penalty due to Raúl Ascencio’s foul on Mikel Merino. Saka stepped up from 12 yards, but his dinked effort was far from good enough to beat the experienced Courtois as the Bernabéu erupted.
Arteta’s side, understandably, looked to delay the speed of the game at any opportunity, but Madrid were awarded a penalty of their own in the 23rd minute when Declan Rice was penalised for delaying Mbappé’s run.
However, after a lengthy VAR check, the decision was overturned.
The hosts continued to probe at the Arsenal defence, but the Gunners defended in numbers and counted their lucky stars when each chance whisked away from Madrid.
Once play had restarted, Arsenal grew in confidence – passing the ball from side to side and ole’s boomed from the away end.
A fantastic team move from Arsenal resulted in them taking the lead: Merino’s delicate pass played Saka through on goal – his dinked penalty in the first half was saved, but Courtois could not do anything about this second effort as the forward lifted a composed finish over the Belgian.
Moments later, Viní Jr picked the pocket of Saliba before firing the ball into an unguarded net.
The Brazilian’s 50th goal involvement in a Real Madrid shirt levelled the scoreline on the night and ensured the 24-year=old became the highest-scoring Brazilian in the club’s history.
In the dying moments of the game, with Madrid players practically on their knees, Martinelli sprinted into open space and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to seal the victory for Arsenal.
A magical night in North London last week had been deemed by many to be enough for the Gunners to progress to the semi-finals, and Mikel Arteta’s side held their own with another impressive performance in Madrid as they continue their pursuit of their first UEFA Champions League title.
The lineups
RMA: Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Alaba, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vini Jr, Mbappe.
ARS: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.