There were contrasting emotions for the English contingent in this season’s Champions League semi-finals.
Arsenal, with five Englishmen in their starting side to face Atletico Madrid at the Emirates, ended a two-decade wait for a Champions League final appearance. The North Londoners secured progress to the Budapest final courtesy of Bukayo Saka’s strike.
There was disappointment for Harry Kane, however. The England captain’s dream of winning the Champions League came to an end, as Bayern Munich were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain on aggregate. Kane’s late goal was not enough to save the German champions, but it did see him join an exclusive group of players.
Both Saka and Kane this week scored in Champions League semi-finals for the second time, a feat only four English players have ever achieved.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney is one of just six English players to have scored in a Champions League final, and among the four to have netted in multiple semi-finals.
Rooney was on target twice as Manchester United beat AC Milan 3-2 at Old Trafford in the first leg of their 2006/07 semi-final tie, though the Red Devils missed out on a place in the decider after defeat at the San Siro in the return.
Rooney scored again as United beat Schalke 6-1 over two legs in 2010/11. That season saw the striker score in the final, though it came in defeat to Barcelona at Wembley.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard reached the Champions League semi-finals and scored during his first season in the competition. Chelsea eliminated Arsenal’s Invincibles on route to the last four in 2003/04, but crashed out to Monaco in the semi-finals, despite Lampard scoring in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard helped Chelsea to a first-ever Champions League final after beating Liverpool in 2007/08. On an emotional night that saw the midfielder return to the team for the first time since his mother’s passing, Lampard converted a pressure penalty in extra time.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has shone on the Champions League stage for Arsenal in recent years. The winger has become the first Arsenal player to score in multiple semi-finals, achieving the feat in back-to-back seasons.
After the disappointment of defeat to PSG in 2024/25, Saka’s goal was decisive in helping the Gunners past Atletico Madrid this time around. A rematch with PSG awaits in the final.
Bukayo Saka is the first Arsenal player to score in two different semi-finals in the UEFA Champions League.
⚽️ vs. PSG (24/25)
⚽️ vs. Atletico (25/26)He now has 14 goal involvements in 14 UCL games at the Emirates Stadium (9 goals, 5 assists). 🌶️ pic.twitter.com/IQqYZocNky
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 5, 2026
Harry Kane
Harry Kane scored in both legs of this season’s semi-finals, but Bayern’s dream came to an end against Paris Saint-Germain. Kane also scored during the club’s 2023/24 semi-final defeat to Real Madrid, and his wait for a maiden European honour continues.
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