Audio By Carbonatix
Bukayo Saka scored a goal and missed a penalty as Arsenal held off Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals in an incident-packed match at the Bernabeu.
Arsenal had a 3-0 aggregate lead to defend after their superb victory in the first leg last week - and they were given the chance to silence the noisy home support when they were awarded a 13th-minute penalty.
Saka stepped up but his weak, dinked effort was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
However, the England forward made amends for his miss when he effectively killed off the tie with a fantastic chipped second-half finish over Courtois after Mikel Merino's clever pass.
Real hit back just two minutes later when a terrible mistake from William Saliba gifted Vinicius Junior with an open goal to score.
But Real were not able to capitalise on that glimmer of hope and Gabriel Martinelli capped off a glorious night by making it 2-1 in stoppage time with a breakaway goal, again set up by Merino.
It is just the third time Arsenal have reached the semi-final stage of the Champions League and they will face Paris St-Germain in the last four.
Arsenal beat PSG 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the league phase but Luis Enrique's French champions are much improved since then.
The home crowd in Madrid, who had built an excellent atmosphere and were hoping to spark a comeback that would be remembered for years to come, thought their side had a way back into the tie shortly after Saka's spot-kick miss when they were awarded a penalty of their own.
But a lengthy check with the video assistant referee overturned the referee's decision after Kylian Mbappe had thrown himself to the floor following minimal contact from Declan Rice.
Latest Stories
-
GPL 2025/26: Asante Kotoko draw with GoldStars to extend winless run
22 minutes -
Fire guts temporary wooden structures at Afful Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region
1 hour -
Haruna Iddrisu didn’t approve gender identity content – Education Ministry
2 hours -
‘We are not for sale’: Thousands rally in Greenland and Denmark against Trump’s annexation threat
2 hours -
Deputy Education Minister directs GES to act on video of SHS students displaying charms
2 hours -
From camouflage to tracksuits – Guinea’s junta leader becomes civilian president
2 hours -
Iran supreme leader admits thousands killed during recent protests
2 hours -
Judiciary to roll out court decongestion measures, galamsey courts – Chief Justice
4 hours -
Ugandan leader to extend 40-year rule after being declared winner of contested poll
4 hours -
Residents demand action on abandoned Salaga–Kumdi–Kpandai road
4 hours -
Ghana, Japan explore ways to deepen long-standing bilateral ties
4 hours -
Ghana Navy foils illegal fuel bunkering operation along Volta coastline
5 hours -
Gov’t assures minimal power disruption during WAPCo gas pipeline maintenance
5 hours -
Burna Boy and Sporty Group unveil new single “For Everybody” celebrating Africa’s sports heritage and cultural excellence
5 hours -
Achieve By Petra partners Richie Mensah to drive financial independence
5 hours
