Arsenal wins 5-1 overall after a poor 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in Spain, ending Real Madrid’s Champions League defense.
In a match where VAR was crucial in two penalty calls, Arsenal overcame reigning champion Real Madrid 2-1 to advance to the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009.
Following a 3-0 first-leg victory at home in London last week, Arsenal moved up 5-1 on aggregate on Wednesday, maintaining their hopes of winning Europe’s top club championship for the first time. In the semifinals, they will play Paris Saint-Germain.
There was no historic comeback for Madrid this time. No late goals, no high drama, no magic at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
The defending champion and record 15-time European winner fell short of the last four for the first time since 2020. They were seeking their third Champions League title in four seasons.
When a five-minute VAR check overruled a penalty for a hold on Kylian Mbappe in the first half with the game poised 0-0, it severely damaged its hopes of pulling off another comeback on Wednesday, as it has so frequently done in the Champions League in recent years.
After a video review, Arsenal had previously been given a penalty, but Bukayo Saka missed his opportunity.
Saka gave Arsenal the lead from inside the box in the 65th minute, and after a defensive error by William Saliba, Madrid could only muster an equalizer from Vinicius Junior a few minutes later.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli scored on a breakaway to give Arsenal the win.
