Arsenal put one foot into the Champions League semi-finals with a stunning 3-0 first leg win over Real Madrid at home.
The job isn’t completely done just yet as they still have to travel to the Spanish capital, but it would take an almighty comeback for the reigning champions to reach the last four.
The Gunners were marginally better in the opening 45 minutes as they took the game to the visitors, but the game was scoreless going into the break.
In the second half Real took as many shots as Arsenal scored goals. Declan Rice got them off the mark by sending an incredible direct free-kick flying past Thibaut Courtois in the 58th minute.
Bend it like Rice 🔥#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/yuhrSzp7AB
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
The England midfielder stepped up again just 12 minutes later, firing an even better free kick in to double the lead. Roberto Carlos, who was in the crowd, would have been proud of either strike.
DECLAN RICE HAS DONE IT AGAIN 🤯
Another excellent free kick puts Arsenal up 2-0 at the Emirates#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/xXezgRvfJq
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
Arsenal weren’t done there, though. Knowing Los Blancos are never truly dead until they’re in the ground, Mikel Merino turned Myles Lewis-Skelly’s pass low and hard into the corner of the net to give them a commanding advantage in this two-legged tie.
MIKEL MERINO MAKES IT THREE 😱
Arsenal are living the dream at the Emirates#UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/QrO3lDFxSs
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) April 8, 2025
This was the third time both clubs have faced each other in Europe – and Real have never beaten the Premier League side once.
The victory also sealed the bonus qualification spot for next season’s competition, meaning there will be five Premier League clubs in the Champions League.
Read – Ranking the final eight teams in the Champions League
Champions League highlights
Inter Milan came away from Munich with a huge 2-1 win over Bayern to put them in the driver’s seat ahead of the second leg at the San Siro.
Harry Kane came close to opening the scoring for the hosts in the first half, forcing a save out of Yann Sommer before later hitting the post. But it was Lautaro Martinez who put Inter ahead with a gorgeous outside-of-the-boot finish. Marcus Thuram deserves his flowers for the assist, too.
INTER ARE AHEAD, AND WHAT A GOAL 🤧
Beautiful build up play finds Thuram who brilliantly back-heels into the path of Lautaro Martinez, and his outside of the foot finish finds the back of the net ⚽️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ZU0IuJwdQ0
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
The Nerazzurri went into defensive mode in the second half, inviting pressure from Bayern. They finally cracked when Thomas Muller, in potentially his final home game for the club, came off the bench to equalise.
"OF COURSE IT'S THOMAS MULLER" 🤩
Muller rises off the bench to tap home at the back post for Bayern to level the tie – on the week he announced he's leaving the club at the end of the season! Written in the stars ✨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/iMze0fNLeJ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
However, three minutes was all it took for Inter to retake the lead. Bayern’s defence were at sixes and sevens as the Italian outfit attacked on the counter. Carlos Augusto fired a low cross into the six-yard box, which was turned home by Davide Frattesi.
INTER RETAKE THE LEAD 🤯
And just like that, Inter are back ahead, and it's Frattesi who bundles home Augusto's drilled cross! 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/10uAFCD1y0
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
Read – Remembering Mourinho’s Inter side that beat Bayern in the Champions League final
See Also – Arsenal vs Real Madrid combined XI ahead of Champions League clash
