Champions league '25 : Arsenal sink Real Madrid while Inter Survive Bayern comeback in Thrilling Quarter-Final Clash

 


 

Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, securing a 5-1 win on aggregate after an action-packed second leg.

Holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, the Gunners had the chance to strike early when they were awarded a penalty just 13 minutes in. Bukayo Saka stepped up but saw his tame, chipped effort easily saved by Thibaut Courtois, spurring the home crowd into life.

However, Saka redeemed himself in the second half, latching onto a clever pass from Mikel Merino and delicately chipping over Courtois to effectively end the tie. Real Madrid responded almost instantly as a costly error from William Saliba handed Vinicius Junior an open goal to give the hosts brief hope.

But Madrid’s momentum was short-lived. Arsenal stood firm defensively, and in stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli sealed the result with a calm finish on the counter-attack, again assisted by Merino.

It’s only the third time in the club’s history that Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals. They will face Paris Saint-Germain next, having beaten the French side 2-0 in the group stage. However, PSG have grown in form under Luis Enrique and will present a very different challenge this time around.

Madrid had a moment of controversy shortly after Saka's penalty miss when they were initially awarded a spot-kick of their own. But a VAR review reversed the decision, ruling that Kylian Mbappe had gone down too easily under minimal contact from Declan Rice.

Over in Italy, Inter Milan progressed to the last four after a gripping 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich at the San Siro, clinching a 4-3 aggregate victory in a heavyweight clash.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Inter endured a tense evening as Bayern came out with attacking intent. Thomas Mueller and Michael Olise caused early problems, but the Italian defense held firm. Hakan Calhanoglu came close with a curling strike, but the game remained goalless at half-time.

Bayern broke the deadlock early in the second half through Harry Kane, who netted his 11th goal of the tournament with a composed finish into the far corner. Their lead was short-lived, though, as Lautaro Martinez equalized just six minutes later, converting after his initial header was blocked.

Inter quickly added another from a corner, with Benjamin Pavard rising to head home and put the hosts firmly back in control. Bayern, refusing to fold, responded again when Eric Dier’s attempted cross from a tight angle looped into the net.

The final minutes were filled with tension as Bayern threw everything forward, but Yann Sommer made a crucial late save to deny Mueller and ensure Inter’s progression. The result marks Bayern’s first ever away defeat to Inter and ends their Champions League run.

Inter now face Barcelona in the semi-finals, a fixture steeped in history and reminiscent of their iconic 2010 triumph. Simone Inzaghi’s men remain in pursuit of a potential treble, echoing the club’s famous campaign 15 years ago.


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