What's happened
In a stunning Champions League quarter-final first leg, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium. Goals from Declan Rice and Mikel Merino put Arsenal in a commanding position ahead of the second leg at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid faces a daunting task to overturn the deficit, with Carlo Ancelotti acknowledging Arsenal's superiority.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Arsenal's Dominance: Arsenal's 3-0 win showcased their tactical superiority, particularly through set pieces, with Declan Rice's two free-kicks being pivotal.
- Real Madrid's Struggles: Despite their storied history in the Champions League, Real Madrid's performance was lackluster, managing only six shots on target over two legs.
- Historical Context: Historically, teams leading by three goals in Champions League ties have only overturned the deficit four times, making Arsenal's position favorable.
- Psychological Factors: Real Madrid's players, including Jude Bellingham, expressed confidence in their ability to mount a comeback, emphasizing the club's legacy of resilience in high-stakes matches.
- Next Steps: The second leg at the Bernabéu will be crucial for both teams, with Arsenal aiming to secure their place in the semi-finals and Real Madrid seeking to defy the odds once again.
What the papers say
According to Sid Lowe in The Guardian, Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged Arsenal's superiority, stating, "Over the two games Arsenal were better than us." This sentiment was echoed by Jude Bellingham, who noted the team's lack of ideas and urgency during the match. In contrast, Business Insider highlighted Arsenal's remarkable performance, particularly praising Declan Rice's contributions. The Guardian also pointed out the historical difficulty of overturning a three-goal deficit in Champions League history, emphasizing the challenge ahead for Real Madrid. Gulf News reported on Kylian Mbappé's recent red card but confirmed that it would not affect his participation in the Champions League, adding another layer of complexity to Real Madrid's situation.
How we got here
Arsenal's impressive victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals has set the stage for a challenging return match. Historically, Real Madrid has a reputation for comebacks, but they face a significant hurdle after this defeat.
Go deeper
- What were the key moments in the match?
- How does this affect Real Madrid's chances?
- What are the historical comebacks in Champions League?
Common question
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Can Arsenal Hold Their Lead Against Real Madrid in the Champions League?
As Arsenal heads into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with a commanding 3-0 lead over Real Madrid, the stakes couldn't be higher. Fans are left wondering if Arsenal can maintain their advantage or if Real Madrid's storied history of comebacks will play a role in this match. Here are some key questions surrounding this thrilling encounter.
More on these topics
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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.
Founded on 6 March 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally worn a white home kit since inception.
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Carlo Ancelotti OSI is an Italian former professional footballer and a professional football manager who currently manages Premier League club Everton.
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Kylian Mbappé Lottin is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team.
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Jude Victor William Bellingham is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham joined Birmingham City as an under-8, became the club's youngest ever first-team player when he made his senior debut in Au
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Declan Rice is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre back for Premier League club West Ham United and the England national team.