Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid: The 'gunners' leave Ancelotti's team in intensive care

Real Madrid is on the brink of disaster in the UEFA Champions League after a harsh defeat in London against Arsenal (3-0). Despite multiple injury absences, Mikel Arteta's side destroyed a 'merengue' team that was completely overwhelmed in all areas, with a defense patched together and a midfield that was asleep, lacking ideas and oxygen to face a very serious, organized team that delivered a memorable performance in the second half.

Carlo Ancelotti's team made their plan clear from the start of the match: to regroup with a compact 4-4-2 block in their half and launch their forwards at the slightest opportunity for a counterattack. In the 5th minute, Vinicius had his first great chance to cause damage on the run, but he failed to pass to the center of the area, where Kylian Mbappé was ready to try to score against David Raya.

Courtois kept an apathetic Madrid in the first half

Arsenal, on the other hand, generated danger from the flanks, especially on the left, where 'Carletto', without Ferland Mendy and with doubts about Fran García, opted for David Alaba this time. In the 10th minute, they almost scored the first goal with a header after a corner from the right that Saliba 'cleared' almost on the goal line. Before the first quarter of an hour, Raúl Asencio was close to committing a penalty, but VAR determined that Declan Rice's shot, although it hit the defender's left arm, was close to his body.

The hosts took control of the ball and the match, although Madrid had a couple of dangerous chances with Mbappé as the protagonist. The Frenchman was not sharp in his finishing, while 'Vini' also made poor decisions on the flank. In the final stretch of the first half, the Londoners cornered a Madrid that resisted as best as it could, thanks to two spectacular saves from Courtois after a header from Rice and a close-range shot from Martinelli. A couple of minutes earlier, the ball had wandered twice across the 'merengue' goal, with crossed centers where the 'gunners' missed the presence of a natural '9'.

Declan Rice put on his own 'show' in the second half

Madrid managed to slow down Arsenal's rhythm in the initial minutes of the second half, opting for longer clearances from their defenders to minimize losses near their area. The first clear chance after the break, in fact, was for the visitors, with a slightly deflected shot from Mbappé, to the side of the net. The 'gunners', on the other hand, were struggling to create danger.

However, in the 58th minute, Declan Rice took charge of making justice on the scoreboard with a perfect free kick. The English midfielder took a set piece that was theoretically ideal for a left-footer, striking a right-footed shot to the side of the wall, with an effect impossible for Courtois. The goal came after an unnecessary foul by Alaba on Bukayo Saka, right at the edge of the area.

After the 1-0, there was only one team on the field. In the 66th minute, Courtois made another miraculous double save in a play where Alaba also cleared a goal off the line. Jude Bellingham also had another clearance almost under the posts, but Madrid could not withstand the London siege much longer. In the 70th minute, another free kick at the edge of the area, but from the left side, allowed Rice to pull another rabbit out of the hat. This time, the '41' put it in the top corner of the Belgian goalkeeper's left hand, with a memorable strike, again with his right foot.

Mikel Merino scored the third to bury Madrid's hopes

Ancelotti sought answers from the bench by bringing on Lucas Vázquez for Luka Modric, trying to stop the bleeding from Arsenal on the flanks. To make matters worse, the third goal came just four minutes later, right from the right side, with another great run from Lewis-Skelly, a nightmare for the 'merengues' all night. The 18-year-old full-back delivered a pass to the middle, right where Mikel Merino appeared as a '9', finishing first time.

A stunning goal to close an unforgettable second half for Mikel Arteta's side and extinguish any hope of a Madrid reaction. The whites dropped their arms, completely overwhelmed and sunk physically and mentally. Looking ahead to the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next Tuesday, only the weight of the jersey and history prevents declaring the tie already closed in favor of Arsenal. However, given how both teams are performing, it feels like Madrid, this time, will not be able to get off the canvas.

Technical sheet of the match: Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid

• Arsenal, 3: Raya; Timber (White, min. 90+1), Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice (Tierney, min. 80), Odegaard, Saka (Trossard, min. 74), Martinelli y Merino.
• Real Madrid: 0: Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Asencio, Alaba (García, min. 79); Camavinga, Modric (Lucas, min. 71), Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo (Brahim, min. 85) y Mbappé.
• Goals: 1-0, Declan Rice (min. 58); 2-0, Declan Rice (min. 70); 3-0, Mikel Merino (min. 75).
• Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia). Booked Thomas Partey for Arsenal. For Madrid, he sent off Eduardo Camavinga late on for a second yellow card.
• Stadium: Emirates Stadium (London).
• Incidents: first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25.