Arsenal delivered a statement 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, completing a dominant 5-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid to secure their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals

Arsenal produced a sensational performance at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, securing a remarkable 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.

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This triumph, following their commanding 3-0 first-leg win at the Emirates Stadium, resulted in an emphatic 5-1 aggregate scoreline, propelling the Gunners into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

Bukayo Saka was a constant threat from the outset, testing Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a sharp low drive in the 8th minute.

Moments later, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a foul inside the penalty area. However, Courtois redeemed himself by diving low to save Saka’s somewhat tame spot-kick.

Real Madrid thought they had been handed a lifeline when Declan Rice was penalised for a challenge in the box midway through the first half.

But after another VAR intervention, French referee François Letexier overturned his initial decision, much to the frustration of the Bernabéu crowd.

After a goalless first half, Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute. The influential Mikel Merino, controlling the midfield with authority, delivered a clever pass to Bukayo Saka, who expertly lifted the ball over the advancing Courtois for a stylish opening goal.

The home side briefly reignited their hopes when Vinicius Junior capitalised on a defensive error just two minutes later to level the score at 1-1.

However, Arsenal remained composed and resilient, effectively resisting Real Madrid’s late pressure, with goalkeeper David Raya making a crucial save from Brahim Diaz in the dying moments of the game.

The decisive blow came in stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli latched onto a perfectly weighted pass and calmly slotted the ball past Courtois, sealing a memorable 2-1 victory on the night and a resounding 5-1 aggregate triumph for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side will now face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.