Real Madrid's Champions League Dream Ends with Arsenal's Dominant Display

In a night filled with anticipation at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid's hopes for a historic comeback were dashed as Arsenal secured a 2-1 victory, culminating in a 5-1 aggregate win to advance to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

The match began with Real Madrid displaying early aggression, aiming to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg. An early goal by Kylian Mbappé was disallowed for offside, and a penalty awarded to Arsenal was saved by Thibaut Courtois, keeping Madrid's hopes alive. However, in the second half, Bukayo Saka opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 65th minute, capitalizing on a pass from Mikel Merino. Vinícius Júnior responded swiftly, equalizing in the 67th minute after a defensive error by William Saliba. As Madrid pushed forward in search of a miraculous turnaround, they were caught on the counter, with Gabriel Martinelli sealing the match in stoppage time.

Real Madrid dominated possession with 66% and delivered 43 crosses into the box but struggled to penetrate Arsenal's well-organized defense. Key players like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Mbappé were effectively neutralized, and the team's reliance on wide plays and long balls proved ineffective. Manager Carlo Ancelotti faced criticism for his lack of tactical adjustments, as the team failed to create significant scoring opportunities.

With their Champions League journey concluded, Real Madrid now turns its focus to domestic competitions, including La Liga and the upcoming Copa del Rey final. Meanwhile, Arsenal's impressive performance sets up a semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain, as they continue their pursuit of European glory.