By 
ARSENAL VS REAL MADRID
POST MATCH ARTICLE
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
During the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Arsenal and Real Madrid on April 8, 2025, at Emirates Stadium in London, the weather conditions were favourable for football. The match took place under clear skies with temperatures around 51°F (10°C), providing a cool and comfortable environment for both players and spectators. There was no precipitation, and the wind was minimal, ensuring that the game proceeded without any weather-related interruptions.
In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 8, 2025, at Emirates Stadium, the starting lineups for Arsenal and Real Madrid were as follows:
Arsenal Starting XI:
- David Raya (Goalkeeper)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (Right Back)
- William Saliba (Center Back)
- Gabriel Magalhães (Center Back)
- Myles Lewis-Skelly (Left Back)
- Thomas Partey (Central Midfield)
- Declan Rice (Central Midfield)
- Martin Ødegaard (Captain, Attacking Midfield)
- Bukayo Saka (Right Wing)
- Mikel Merino (Left Wing)
- Leandro Trossard (Striker)
Kylian-Mbappé-takes-a-shot
Real Madrid Starting XI:
- Thibaut Courtois (Goalkeeper)
- Federico Valverde (Right Back)
- Antonio Rüdiger (Center Back)
- Raúl Asencio (Center Back)
- David Alaba (Left Back)
- Luka Modrić (Central Midfield)
- Eduardo Camavinga (Central Midfield)
- Jude Bellingham (Attacking Midfield)
- Rodrygo (Right Wing)
- Vinícius Júnior (Left Wing)
- Kylian Mbappé (Striker)
Match Statistics:
- Ball Possession: Arsenal dominated possession with 68% in the early stages of the match.
- Shots on Target: Arsenal registered 6 shots on target, while Real Madrid had 5.
- Shots off Target: Specific numbers for shots off target are not detailed in the available sources.
- Fouls Committed: Arsenal committed 9 fouls; Real Madrid committed 11.
- Corners: Both teams earned 5 corners each during the match.
- Offsides: Each team was caught offside once.
Rice-the-free-kick-legend-of-the-match
Match Highlights:
- Declan Rice’s Free-Kick Masterclass: Midfielder Declan Rice was the standout performer, netting two exquisite free-kick goals. His first came in the 58th minute, a curling effort that left goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance. He doubled the lead in the 70th minute with another set-piece, this time finding the top corner with precision.
- Mikel Merino Seals the Victory: Just five minutes after Rice’s second, Mikel Merino added a third goal in the 75th minute. Receiving the ball inside the box, Merino unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that beat Courtois, effectively sealing the win for the Gunners.
- Bukayo Saka’s Contribution: Saka, returning to the starting lineup, played a pivotal role by drawing the fouls that led to Rice’s goals and consistently troubling Madrid’s defense.
Key Moments:
- Courtois’ Heroics: Despite the scoreline, Thibaut Courtois made several crucial saves, particularly in the first half, to keep Real Madrid in contention. His efforts highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities that Arsenal exploited in the second half.
- Camavinga’s Dismissal: Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card in stoppage time (90’+4′), reducing the visitors to ten men and adding to their woes ahead of the second leg.
Thibaut-Courtois-(Goalkeeper)-makes-a-save
Tactical Overview:
The first half was a cagey affair, with Arsenal dominating possession (68%) but struggling to convert their control into clear-cut chances. Madrid threatened sporadically on the break, but William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães kept Mbappé in check. Courtois was called into action several times, denying Trossard and Ødegaard with reflex saves.
The game turned decisively after the break. In the 58th minute, Arsenal won a free-kick just outside the box after Bukayo Saka was brought down. Declan Rice stepped up and delivered a stunning curler into the top right corner—Courtois motionless, the Emirates erupting.
Just 12 minutes later, Rice repeated the feat. Another foul on Saka, another free-kick, another masterpiece. This time, he bent it into the top left corner. Two goals, both from distance, both unstoppable.
If Madrid hoped for a quick reply, Mikel Merino had other ideas. In the 75th minute, he latched onto a loose ball inside the box and rifled a left-footed rocket past Courtois to make it 3-0. Arsenal fans were in dreamland.
Arteta’s men executed a high press to perfection, disrupting Real’s buildup and forcing errors. Rice and Partey bossed the midfield, while Saka tormented David Alaba on the right flank. Madrid struggled to string passes together, and their defensive structure crumbled under pressure.
Looking Ahead:
With a 3-0 advantage, Arsenal will travel to Madrid for the second leg on April 16, 2025, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Real Madrid faces a daunting task, needing a significant turnaround to keep their Champions League aspirations alive. This result places Arsenal in a strong position ahead of the second leg at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on April 16, 2025. Arsenal take a commanding 3-0 lead into the second leg on April 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid will need a near-miraculous turnaround to stay in the competition, while Arsenal, with momentum on their side, are now favorites to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in over a decade.
Catch the incredible free kicks below:
Authored by: Laksh Punjabi
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