Arsenal Triumphs Over Real Madrid To Reach Champions League Semi-Finals With 5-1 Aggregate Win

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Gabriel Martinelli's late strike secured Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Real Madrid, propelling them to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win. Arsenal, defending a 3-0 lead from the first leg, faced little trouble at Santiago Bernabeu. Bukayo Saka missed a penalty but later scored in the 65th minute. Vinicius Junior equalised shortly after, but Martinelli's stoppage-time goal ensured Arsenal's progress.

Arsenal had an early opportunity when referee Francois Letexier reviewed a VAR decision for David Alaba's foul on Mikel Merino. Despite overturning his initial call, Thibaut Courtois saved Saka's penalty attempt, energising the home crowd. Another VAR intervention overturned a penalty decision against Declan Rice for pulling Kylian Mbappe during a free-kick.

Chances were scarce until Merino's pass allowed Saka to score with a chip over Courtois. However, William Saliba's mistake led to Vinicius capitalising and scoring into an empty net moments later. Despite this setback, Arsenal maintained their composure and secured victory through Martinelli's decisive goal.

Saka became the first Arsenal player to miss a Champions League quarter-final penalty but redeemed himself by scoring later. He joined Andrey Arshavin and Alexis Sanchez as the only Arsenal players to both miss and score in the same Champions League match.

Vinicius Junior scored his eighth Champions League goal this season, marking his best tally in one campaign for Real Madrid. This achievement also made him the fourth Madrid player to reach 50 goal involvements in the competition, joining Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Raul.

Despite Vinicius' efforts, Real Madrid couldn't mount another famous comeback. Arsenal held firm in the closing stages before Martinelli sealed their triumph with a composed finish past Courtois.

This victory extended Arsenal's unbeaten run against Real Madrid in European competitions to four matches (three wins and one draw). The Gunners now prepare for a semi-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.