By Kwame Bediako
Arsenal sealed a remarkable 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, thanks to a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners, who had a 3-0 lead from the first leg, defended resolutely for much of the match, surviving the first hour with little difficulty. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 65th minute, but Vinicius Junior pulled one back for Real Madrid two minutes later. Martinelli then scored the decisive goal in stoppage time, setting up a semi-final meeting with Paris Saint-Germain.
The match was marked by a dramatic penalty miss from Saka, who had his effort saved by Thibaut Courtois after a VAR review. However, the Arsenal winger made amends with a stunning 65th-minute opener, chipping the ball over Courtois after a delightful through-ball from Mikel Merino. Saka’s goal was a testament to his skill and determination, and it proved to be a crucial moment in the match.
Real Madrid pushed hard for an equalizer, and their efforts were rewarded when Vinicius Junior scored his eighth Champions League goal of the campaign. The Brazilian forward’s goal sparked hopes of a comeback, but it was not to be. Instead, Martinelli sealed the win with a brilliant late finish, sliding past Courtois to score the decisive goal.
Arsenal’s win sets up a mouth-watering semi-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners will be confident of making a deep run in the competition, having shown their quality against one of Europe’s top teams. With a talented squad and a well-organized team, Arsenal will be looking to go all the way in the Champions League.
Arsenal’s 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid is a historic win for the Gunners. The team’s performance was a testament to their strength and determination, and they will be proud of their achievement. The win also marks a significant moment in the club’s history, as they look to make a lasting impact in European competition.
