Real Madrid vs Arsenal summary: score, stats, goals & highlights | UEFA Champions League quarterfinal
Real Madrid vs Arsenal: as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
Real Madrid had all the ingredients for a magical night at the Bernabéu, except one: a good team.
They had the scoreline against them, a raucous welcome from the fans, a lightning-filled Bernabéu, and the Champions League trophy in sight.
The week leading up to the game was filled with all the components to create one of the special European potions that we've become so used to over the years, the stories that get written in stone and the games that mark the history of the greatest club in the world - they just didn't have the team to do it.
Bukayo Saka missed from the spot, with a cheeky panenka sending the Madrid fans from 99% sure of a comeback to something even more, but Mbappé's overturned decision was a whack of reality to their faces.
From there, it was cross, cross, cross from the home side, met by header, header, header from Arsenal, who looked, believe it or not, calm. Here, at the Bernabéu, in the Champions League quarterfinal. Calm.
It was a showing of solidity, a well-worked tactical plan and an ice-cool mentality, but it also highlighted Madrid's impotence.
Mbappé failed to ignite, despite trying; the same goes for Vinicius. Ditto Bellingham, Rodrygo and Valverde. Changes came and went but the fresher legs failed to spark things, and eventually the fans had enough.
The autopsy will be significant, and faces will appear on the news and in the papers as the blame is administered throughout the pages. The conversation of whether they need a new x,y or z will be had another day, perhaps even as soon as tomorrow, but right now the one thing Madrid need is a reset.
As for Arsenal, it's PSG up next...
That's all, folks!
Thanks for tuning into the coverage of what was a fantastic result for Arsenal, who will be full of beans when it comes to PSG in the semifinals.
As for Real Madrid, they need to lick their wounds and perform an autopsy on the collapse if they are to go again to finish the season in the best way possible.
Joe
Ancelotti on his future:
I don't know. And I don't want to know.
Carlo Ancelotti post-game:
We have to be honest—Arsenal deserved it in both matches. They did. Football has two sides: the happy one and the sad one. And this is the sad one. You have to know how to deal with it. It happens. It happens to us less than to others, but we need to know how to handle it so we can be better in the upcoming matches.
Lucas Vázquez post-game:
What are your feelings? "A tough moment. I think we gave it a go today. It was a difficult match. We didn’t have as many chances as we would’ve liked. But we never lost our grip on the game. There were interruptions. It just didn’t go our way."
Is the football just not good enough? "Maybe, yeah. We lacked a bit of clarity. Needed more patience. They came here to defend, to play their game. In the first half, they barely did anything. In the second, with us pushing forward, they managed to snatch the win."
Who takes the responsibility? "Just like when we win, when we lose, too. It’s part of football. We always give everything out there. We always step up. Thanks to the fans for the atmosphere they created. Real Madrid will always come back."
What about the rest of the season? "There’s still a lot of the season left. The team is united and eager to go after what’s still up for grabs."
Thibaut Courtois post-game:
The saved penalty against Saka could’ve been a turning point...
In the end, when a penalty goes against you, if you manage to save it, you keep believing. At the start, we created some danger and I could feel the crowd behind us. But Arsenal is a team that defends really well. It was very hard to break them down. I felt like if we scored after the break, we could get back into it... but then they scored. We got one back, we kept believing… but it wasn’t enough. Raya didn’t even have to make any big saves. That pretty much sums up the tie.
It was tough to create anything...
They’re a team that defends well and presses well. It’s hard to find space against them. Maybe with long shots, we tried some crosses… But this year, we don’t have a Joselu, a pure striker. There’s still a lot of season left—La Liga, the Copa, the Club World Cup... We’ve got to push through. And we’ve got to thank the fans. The atmosphere was beautiful. I hope I can give them something to celebrate this season.
Is it hard to be a team?
Maybe sometimes we need to be more self-critical and take a good look at everything. I feel like we are a team, but sometimes we need to play more like a team and not so individually. If they double up on Vini or Kylian, maybe it works once, but not always. We need to look at that and be honest with ourselves. Then move forward.
Is Ancelotti’s message still getting through?
Yes. That’s not an issue. We have no doubts about the coach. The message gets through—then it’s up to us to make it happen on the pitch.
Mbappé injury update:
Journalist Miguel Ángel Díaz says that "Mbappé has suffered a slight sprain to his right ankle. He will undergo medical tests on Friday."
Mikel Arteta post-game:
One of the best nights in my career, one of the special ones. Madrid have the biggest history and to win in this manner is special.
I'm really proud, it's really difficult. After 2 minutes you realise anything can happen here, they score a goal and it's game on. We gave all we had to to win the game.
The history we have in this competition is short, we need to build on that and we are hungry. Experience, and for me as well, is going to help us for sure.
Last season we started well and made mistakes, we doubted a little bit how to play. Today and in London we had a different mindset, but you have to do it.
I watched [PSG] last night. I know the manager really well, but let's enjoy tonight.
Rice was immense, he turned the game around tonight, he was immense.
The mindset will be to prepare well, we want to be in the final and we are capable of doing it.
Despite goals by Bayern’s Harry Kane and Eric Dier, Inter Milan completed the job at the San Siro and are through to the UCL semi-finals.
Post-game comments:
We crossed a lot, this year we don't have Joselu. We have to play more collectively.
Another frustrating night for Vini Jr
The winger scored for Madrid and kept trying all night, but it wasn't enough once again from the player who has a poor recent record in a white shirt.
Here's how things look in the Champions League after that sensational result from the English side.
FULL-TIME!
ARSENAL ARE THROUGH AFTER BEATING MADRID TWICE OVER TWO GAMES!
Underway and into the final minute.
OFF: Martinelli, White & Zinchenko
ON: Tierney, Rice & Timber
Martinelli bursts away behind the Madrid line on halfway.
Merino slips the winger through as Arsenal counter and he goes 1 on 1 with Courtois, who has no chance against the fabulous finish.
SAVE. Courtois has his palms stung by a Martin Ødegaard effort from the edge of the box.
To be honest, they could've beaten the traffic by not turning up.
Five added minutes and the first of the Madrid fans have decided to leave and beat the traffic.
CHANCE. Endrick latches onto a cross from Vini, controls the ball and swipes his shot wide as he can't keep his balance.
SAVE. Brahim squirms down the right but his low shot is easily saved by his compatriot.
Into the final minute of normal time.
Vini Jr wins a corner for his side. The crowd are almost silent.
The clock is ticking down...
Ceballos looks to clip Endrick through, but the ball is deflected out for a throw.
The crowd are stuck in their seats - do they believe or are they staying to boo the team at the end of the game?
Partey is booked for getting into a scuffle. He will now miss the first leg of the next round, should they get through.
Rüdiger is also booked.
A terrible Ceballos ball over the top finds Vini at the far post but the winger is well out of position and the flag is raised. Groans from the crowd.
Saliba goes in on Vini Jr who broke away with Endrick; the shot is blocked behind but the referee gives a goal kick.
Ødegaards's whipped shot flashes wide of Courtois' far post.
Endrick goes down in the box; Kiwior was all over him but it's a 'no' from the referee.
Valverde's rocket hits Declan Rice's leg and Arsenal survive.
Madrid win a free-kick on the left corner of the box after Timber trips the advancing Vini Jr.
There are a few sad faces popping up around the stands from home fans who may just think that the remontada is not happening tonight.
OFF: Saka
ON: Trossard
Into the final 15 minutes; still a three-goal cushion for the Gunners.
That's the end of Mbappé's night, and it has not been a great one for him on a huge occasion.
OFF: Mbappé
ON: Brahim
Tchouaméni drops back into the middle of defence as Modric takes up his position in the centre of the park.
OFF: Asencio
ON: Modric
Mbappé is down receiving treatment after a challenge from Declan Rice.
Luka Modric is readying himself before coming onto the pitch.
It's 2-2 in the San Siro as Inter's lead is cut to one goal.
Arsenal win a free-kick and they're taking their sweet time in organising things.
Twenty minutes to go...
What an incredible couple of minutes.
Saliba received the ball back from kick-off after Saka scored and he instantly gifted Real Madrid a lifeline in the fixture.
Saliba gives the ball away as Vini steals it on the edge of the box before clipping over Raya.
They couldn't? Could they?
It is delightful from the away side. Saka takes the ball on the right who plays to Ødegaard inside. The winger follows the ball inside and receives a ball behind the defensive line from Rice, who took it off the Norwegian.
This time, he makes no mistake with the chip, sending it into the back of the net.
The ball breaks for Valverde who crosses in from the right. It meets the floppy locks of Endrick but the header is wayward and spins behind.
Bellingham's clipped cross floats over Real Madrid heads and flies out behind Raya's goal. The fans groan in frustration.
'Cómo no te voy a querer' rings out from the stands as the fans look to push their team on...
Valverde shifts to right-back and Endrick slots into the right-wing position.
OFF: Rodrygo, Alaba & Lucas
ON: Endrick, Fran García & Ceballos
We get that typical rocket fuel-burning run from Valverde through the middle but his pass towards Mbappé is wayward and Arsenal recover.
Nerves as it looks like Saka is through before a sensational challenge from Asencio stops him reaching the box all alone. The crowd reacts well.
Fran García, Endrick and Dani Ceballos are set to come on for Real Madrid.
Inter Milan are ahead, it's 4-2 to them on aggregate and they've stolen all our goals.
Bellingham gives away another cheap free-kick, this time on Timber. Minutes earlier, he got into a bit of a spat with Declan Rice as his fuse gets shorter.
The away side are in control on halfway; Arsenal fans have brought out the box of olés as Real Madrid fans whistle like a family of witches.
Inter Milan have equalised thanks to a goal from Lautaro Martínez. The Italians are through as things stand.
Hearts are in mouths as Bellingham breaks away in behind and is taken down by Declan Rice. A corner is given that's headed over by Mbappé.
It's really not happening for the home side: Real Madrid spend 30 seconds finding someone to take a throw-in before a spinning ball bounces off the toe of Kylian Mbappé and out to give Arsenal possession.
Rice's delivery is headed well over the bar by Mikel Merino.
Rüdiger is sloppy and gives the ball away in the middle third; Saka picks up the stray pass to nothing and Bellingham fouls the winger.
An update in the other game tonight:
Harry Kane has scored for Bayern, who are now level with Inter.
Corner to Real Madrid: Rodrygo's shot is blocked after a nice move from Mbappé brought his side up the pitch.
Mbappé plucks the ball out of the sky on halfway and Saliba pulls him back. Real Madrid get going again very quickly.
Second half underway!
The home side get us going.
The players are back on the pitch, no changes it seems.
Carvajal and Saka argument spotted
It seems the Real Madrid right back had some strong words for the English winger, and the former was dragged away from the scene.
Goalless in the other game this evening, where Bayern are 2-1 down on aggregate.
Bayern are looking their own version of - do the Germans have a word for comeback? - in their game against Inter. So far, they've had chances but no goals, which will make the Italians very confident they can see it through.
Changes for Madrid?
Dani Ceballos was spotted warming up close to the break, which might indicate Carlo is thinking of a change at halftime.
Half-time thoughts:
Just like the laws of physics break down when it comes to the Bernabéu, we’ve had Schrödinger’s football match so far: both everything and nothing.
Saka has missed a penalty, Mbappé had one then he didn't, and Madrid are still waiting on that miracle.
The fans have slowly turned the volume levels down, and the home side have been reduced to crosses from afar by a sensationally solid Arsenal side who are setting up in the perfect way to nullify their attacking threat.
We're going to have to see the movie of 'The Comeback' squashed into a 45-minute episode if it's going to happen at all, but I'm beginning to wonder: does there come a point at which the Madridistas really think it might not happen?
HALF-TIME!
The referee is the main man as we go into the game with the score at 0-0 and 0-3 on aggregate.
We're into the final minute of the half.
Dani Ceballos is warming up for Los Blancos.
SAVE. Martinelli's low drive from the left is well saved by the Belgian as Madrid get momentarily carved open on their right.
Raya commands his area well as he comes off his line to catch the cross from Lucas Vázquez.
Play is eventually stopped so Lucas can recover. We're back underway.
Lucas goes down on the edge of the box but again, Real Madrid don't see the decision go their way. It looks like a head injury.
Bellingham goes for a spectacular overhead kick and gets pushed to the floor. A potential penalty waved away by the referee.
7 added minutes.
Arsenal spoon another Madrid cross out for another throw-in to the home side. While a lot of balls are making it into the away box, not a lot are finding their intended targets.
Saliba gets a touch on the cross from Rodrygo as, again, Antonio Rüdiger is the farthest forward player in white.
Another corner to the home side, and they have Arsenal pinned into their box.
CHANCE. RÚdiger can't reach the cross and misses the looping ball by inches.
Arsenal defend well, as Raya punches away.
Corner to Real Madrid after some nice work from Vinicius Jr on the left side.
Lucas is tripped by Martinelli on Madrid's right side and the home team have a chance to swing the ball into the box and cause some problems.
David Raya gets a booking for time-wasting.
The away side look to have taken the energy out of the previously untameable crowd, which is no mean feat. They are waiting for the team to bring them back to life, and not vice-versa.
Rüdiger fouls Merino and the heavy tackles from Madrid are only helping Arsenal to break up the game and bring us closer to half-time.
Alaba goes through the back of Saka on halfway as Arsenal counter. Bellingham, who looks leggy already, lost the ball on the edge of the box.
CHANCE. Mbappé fires an ICBM towards Raya from distance but the shot is always spinning away from goal.
Valverde's diagonal cross is overhit and flies out for a goal kick to Arsenal, who will take their time in getting things going again.
After all the drama, it's still 0-0 and Arsenal will be happy to watch the clock tick down.
Back underway...
NO PENALTY!!!
The referee has changed his decision!
The referee is going to the screen
The referee is checking the foul. There is no offside.
VAR update:
In fact, the VAR could well be looking at an offside in the build-up.
Still waiting, I haven't gone anywhere.
We're still waiting...
VAR having a look...
Declan Rice was holding Mbappé round the chest, although it does look a lot weaker than the first one given.
Yellow to Declan Rice who is heavily protesting the decision.
PENALTY TO REAL MADRID
MBAPPÉ GOES DOWN IN THE BOX!!!
There's a lot of handbags inside the box as Alaba stands over a long-distance free-kick.
Vini Jr and Bellingham rob Ødegaard and the Brazilian whizzes away down the left wing. He cuts inside and goes down in the box.Monsieur referee says no.
Superb defending from Saliba, who backs into Mbappé inside his own box and herds the ball out for a goal kick.
85,000 hearts flutter in the Bernabéu as Jude Bellingham's low cross from the left is met by... nobody!
Rice shoves Rodrygo in the back and Madrid win a free-kick on halfway. The away team's press is still, despite the energy from the fans, keeping them at bay.
Lucas meets the bouncing ball and has a couple of shots blocked by desperate defenders.
Madrid win a corner.
We're back underway...
WHAT A NOISE AT THE BERNABÉU
Well, if the fans didn't believe before... they certainly do now!
COURTOIS HAS SAVED THE PENALTY
Saka went for the panenka and Courtois saved!!!!!
Actually, it's Saka who will take the spot kick.
Ødegaard steps up...
And it's a booking for the defender.
PENALTY TO ARSENAL
Asenciogivesaway a penalty after grabbing Merino's shirt.
VAR check for a potential penalty...
This doesn't look good for Madrid - the referee has had a call in his ear and has stopped the game. It seems that Asencio had a hold of Merino's shirt as a cross came in from the left.
Fantastic leg in by Tchouaméni on Saka, who made his way into the box with a lot of danger.
Mbappé looks on it tonight, he's been everywhere in the first few minutes.
SAVE. Courtois gets down well to stop Saka's driven effort after coming inside from the right side.
And another Madrid cross goes in, this time from the right; it's not met by a white shirt and cleared away with a swiping boot of an Arsenal defender.
Mbappé hits another Madrid cross that bounces inside Arsenal's area. That's three in seven minutes for the home side who have started with a lot of fizz.
Saka hits a speculative shot across goal that flies out for a goal kick. Vini Jr lost the ball after doing too much on the edge of his own area.
Ouch. A reckless challenge from Alaba on Saka who goes into the book.
Vini Jr puts another cross in the box and Arsenal clear...
Vini Jr breaks down the left and takes the ball from Mbappé. The Brazilian cuts inside and hits a shot across goal that finds the Frenchman. He taps in but is miles offside.
THE BALL IS IN THE NET FOR REAL MADRID
But Mbappé is offside.
Valverde wins the first header.
Merino makes the first foul.
The Madridistas give us their first roar.
And we're off!
Arsenal get us underway.
But first, a minute of silence for Leo Beenhakker and Mario Vargas Llosa
Perfectly observed by all.
And what a noise we've got now.
The Chaaaampiooooooonnnssss!!
The Santiago Bernabéu really was made for nights like these...
"The machine of dreams, make ours Real"
The huge tifo has just been unfurled by the Madridistas as Carlo Ancelotti sits in his chair looking like The Godfather.
The players are in the tunnel!
All 22 players are ready to go before kick-off, with plenty of stern faces.
A reminder of the starting XIs:
REAL MADRID
GK: Courtois
DEF: Lucas - Asencio - Rüdiger - Alaba
MID: Tchouaméni - Bellingham - Valverde
ATT: Rodrygo - Mbappé - Vini Jr
ARSENAL
GK: Raya
DEF: Timber - Kiwior - Saliba - Lewis-Skelly
MID: Rice - Partey - Ødegaard
ATT: Saka - Merino - Martinelli
Remember: no away goals
Away goals have been ruled out in the Champions League, meaning that Real Madrid (only) need to equal the aggregate scoreline, even if Arsenal score.
Mikel Arteta to UK television:
It's always important to start with a positive vibe, and dominate the game. We'll try to but it will be a long game.
We have to be very focussed, very determined and try to win it.
The last time Real Madrid overturned a 3-goal UCL deficit:
It came back in 1985, against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The Spanish side lost 5-1 in Germany in a terrible game followed by a 4-0 win at home, with goals from Valdano and Santillana, who got 2 each.
Arsenal to play in their black strip tonight
The Gunners will play in their away shirt, which the club say is "a celebration of cultural diversity" and "is part of a collaboration with London-based, West-African rooted fashion brand Labrum London".
Jude Bellingham on 'the comeback'
Comeback. I must have heard it a million times this week. I've seen lots of videos from fans, from the press... it motivates us a lot. It's a night tailor-made for Real Madrid. It may be something that people are familiar with. We can't add anything more special to this.
It's normal for emotions to run strong on the pitch. You communicate louder than normal. We have a very different relationship, we have to be honest with each other. There are a lot of interactions in a match and you give more importance to it than we do. You can't go into a game like this without being 100% on film. That's all there is for us, our only motivation is a comeback. We're excited and looking forward to it.
It's an incredible environment. It was one of the worst results we could've imagined. For some reason, things didn't go well and now everyone is expecting a comeback. It's a very attractive atmosphere. It means you're at the best club in the world and that's what it means to me. There's pressure and you have to give your best to get the best possible result. It's just what we have to do, to come back.
PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP
"It's 1% - 99% for the second leg"
Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes spoke exclusively to AS USA, where he spoke about the performance.
“I can understand Arsenal scoring three goals in London, it can happen” Morientes admitted. “What surprises me most isn’t Arsenal’s three goals, but Real Madrid’s inability to score a goal when I don’t know how many games Madrid has gone without scoring.
“So that’s what strikes me, that Real Madrid weren’t able to recover from those first two goals, they even collapsed and conceded the third, and they couldn’t find a solution to score that goal that would have put them in the tie.
Memories of the first leg
Real Madrid will be looking for something similar... just in their favour. That second half was a terrible showing from Ancelotti's men who have been talking up the comeback ever since.
Analysing Rice's free-kicks
The wizards in white coats at Opta have taken a look at where Rice's free-kick golazos stand in Champions League history,
Did you know???
Declan Rice has been involved in six goals in his last seven Champions League appearances, getting 4 goals and 2 assists across those fixtures.
Time for Vini to find some form
Real Madrid's star man has been out of form in recent weeks, with no goals in his last 5 games and just 2 assists in that time in Europe's elite competition.
The winger is very much needed by this Real Madrid side who have failed to perform in big games in what is normally their competition, and Vini Jr has usually been a part of that.
This season feels different, with a big sense of frustration coming from the fans in the stands, who seem to have had enough of his antics.
What a noise!
As you may have guessed, the Real Madrid players have just emerged out of the tunnel and onto the pitch for their pre-game warmup.
The fans, who normally take a while to get off the street and into the ground, are in fine voice in the stands with just over half an hour to go!
A reminder of the lineups:
Sofascore have provided this nifty graphic of the starting XIs for the two sides.
Did you know???
Real Madrid have lost their last two Champions League matches, and haven’t lost three in a row in the competition since October 2020.
Madrid have also failed to score in their last two Champions League games.
David Raya to UK television:
It was one of the top games that we played in the Champions League, the approach was perfect. We need to do exactly the same. It sounds simple but it's not, we need to be convinced and to want to win the game.
The first goal, I was thinking 'hit the target'. I thought he was going to cross it! The second one was a bit closer and to the left. I was praying for him to hit the near post.
I talk a lot to the defence. They don't hear me because of the noise, but it's a way of being concentrated during the whole game. I was in the Conference in 2014 and it makes you realise how things can change if you follow your dreams.
Mikel Arteta pre-game:
I think it's excitement [rather than nerves]. When we talk about creating that, it’s all about the history, we’ve never won the competition, and we are trying to do something consistently where we can start to dominate the European competition. We have to earn the right tomorrow to do that on the biggest stage. It doesn't get any better than this, and I think we have a real opportunity for that too.
A lot of clubs have built their history by doing it many times, trying many times, sometimes failing, sometimes being successful. Last year, we had an experience and with that one, we want to be better this season, and apply that to reach the semi-finals, which will be only our third time in the history of our football club.
The first crazy screams of the night...
Thibaut Courtois has come out of the tunnel to start his pre-game warmup routine. The fans respond with a quite sensational noise.
Carlo Ancelotti pre-game:
The team is excited and motivated. Mentally we are in a very good place. We have to have a good handle on the game. Because Real Madrid has all the resources to come back: quality, commitment, experience, fans… the resources are there. The only thing that remains is for each one of us to bring out the best in ourselves.
In previous years they also said that we didn’t play spectacular football. And that may be true. But what Real Madrid wants more than spectacular football is effective football. The Bernabéu has always helped us a lot. The pitch is always the same, the colour of the grass is the same, but you’ll see a supportive atmosphere
Adrian Dennis / AFP
Who to watch: Jakub Kiwior
Kiwior. Just as Mbappé is the man to keep an eye on for the home side, his opposite number is the focus for the away gang. After a stellar performance in the first leg, attention will be focussed on the second-choice player who surprised at the Emirates Stadium, managing to keep the aforementioned Frenchman reasonably quiet.
Playing under the imposing lights, deafening noise and retractable roof of the mighty Bernabéu is another challenge altogether, but one that he should relish having been given a chance to shine in this wonderful unit of a team.
Huge whistles from the crowd...
The Arsenal goalkeepers have just stepped out onto the pitch to start their warmups - what a noise!
The pressure is on Ancelotti...
Much has been said about Carlo Ancelotti's tactical decisions ahead of the game, with many upset at the choices that he has made regarding team selection. David Alaba returned from injury recently and was thrown straight into the XI against Bukayo Saka, who had fun on a tough night for the defender.
If he's got a plan up his sleeve, he's not told anyone, so we'll have to wait and see if anything radical changes from the last game to this.
More snaps of the team's arrival
Much has been made of the welcome to the Bernabéu, and rightly so. It's these nights that make the legend of the stadium so daunting for away fans, who are set to experience an special night in the Spanish capital.
Mikel Arteta goes with the same team
It's the same starting XI from Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, with the manager clearly delighted with the performance last week.
There was a rumbling that Thomas Partey would not be ready to play, but the manager confirmed that he would indeed play a part during his pre-game press conference.
If any team can do it...
Then it's Real Madrid. You won't be surprised to hear that Los Blancos have a history of making extraordinary comebacks, and they've flipped the script on a three-goal deficit on three occasions in their long European history.
ARSENAL XI CONFIRMED:
GK: Raya
DEF: Timber - Saliba - Kiwior - Lewis-Skelly
MID: Partey - Rice - Ødegaard
ATT: Saka - Martinelli - Merino
Arsenal have arrived at the Bernabéu
The away side have arrived at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, with serious faces all round.
Madridistas out in full force
The Madrid fans know when to turn on the style, and they're doing so this afternoon in the Spanish capital. They've gathered in huge numbers outside the stadium to welcome the team bus with flares, fireworks and chants.
REAL MADRID XI CONFIRMED
Alaba starts at left-back as Tchouaméni replaces the suspended Camavinga.
Valverde moves into the midfield, with Lucas Vázquez at right-back.
Jesús Álvarez Orihuela / Diario AS
Who to watch: Kylian Mbappé
Tonight, I’d say the key player in the Real Madrid team is Kylian Mbappé. While there was some discourse about the Frenchman having a poor debut season in Spain, it all but died down after he has shown his talent in front of goal against plenty of teams so far.
Carlo Ancelotti has, after a poor first leg, called for him to step up tonight, and he will need to as some of his teammates have not shown the levels of form we’ve been used to.
He came here to experience nights like these, but he needs to show that he can be part of them too, and not just a bystander. Nobody gets away with much in front of the fans at the Bernabéu, and Mbappé has the perfect opportunity to show everyone what he’s made of tonight.
If you don’t know what happened last time, go and watch the goals then come back to me. If you do know, let’s go through it again:
Real Madrid started brightly and competed well in the first half of the game against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The two teams went into the dressing room at half time with a lot of pride in their pockets as well as nerves, as both sides had chances with the home side probably edging things overall.
They came out for the second half and Declan Rice stood over a close-range but difficult free-kick on the edge of the Madrid box, just to the right.
He ran towards the ball and sent it at the speed necessary to escape Earth’s gravity, around 25,000mph, around the wall and into the net.
Ten minutes later, he sent another Falcon Heavy into the top corner, this time at the far post, from an even more daring angle on the pitch.
It was 2-0 and the Arsenal fans were in party mode, or so they thought. Mikel Merino, all of a sudden the best striker since Gerd Müller, swept in a ferocious low drive into Courtois’ goal to make it three and really set off the fireworks.
Real Madrid offered little in return except a positive post-game message of a comeback, which is all we’ve heard all week. And rightly so…
Monseuir Francois Letexier is the referee for today’s game, and he heads the all-French officiating team for the night. A Champions League regular, he is a seasoned Real Madrid referee but this is his Arsenal debut. He also oversaw the final of Euro 2024 between Spain and England, which was a good night for a man called Mikel.
Referee: Francois Letexier
Assistants: Cyril Mugnier, Mehdi Rahmouni
Fourth official: Stephanie Frappart
VAR: Jerome Brisard
Assistant VAR: Bastien Dechepy
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images
The magical stadium
Ah, the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Where, on nights like these, the surface of the pitch becomes a black hole, with the laws of space and time flipping places and scientific explanation, logic and reason all fly into the void.
There is a tifo expected from the fans as well as an atmosphere that will cause lightbulbs to glow within a radius of 6 miles, as the fans hunt for that first goal to perhaps turn things around.
Team news: Arsenal
Calafiori, Havertz, Jorginho, Tomiyasu, Gabriel 1 and Gabriel 2 are all confirmed as out for today’s game, as they were last week, with Benjamin White and Thomas Partey in the running to play a role in the fixture.
Team news: Real Madrid
The big change from the first leg to the second leg for the home side is that they’ll be without their goalscorer at the weekend, Eduardo Camavinga, who is suspended tonight after receiving a red card in the game in London. Tchouaméni will high-five him in the dressing room like a tag match in the WWE as he returns from suspension.
Apart from that, it’s the usual suspects who are not here: Militão, Carvajal, Lunin and Mendy.
And that’s not even the big news: Dani Ceballos is back in the fold after a long time out with injury.
The Spanish midfielder has become Real Madrid’s unexpected answer to the Kroos-shaped hole in the wall this season, providing that much-needed balance in the middle of the pitch. Even if he doesn’t start, expect Carlo to use the former Arsenal man at some point if he’s been given the green light from the medical staff.
And we're up and running!
Hello, dear reader. I am already smiling. What a game we have tonight: my teeth are grinding and my palms are sliding off the keyboard like a baby seal on a block of ice.
Welcome to our live coverage of the second leg between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, live with AS USA.
It’s Joe here tonight with the privilege of taking you on this journey as we build up to kick-off, take you through the game minute by minute, and digest whatever unfolds on the historic pitch in the Spanish capital.