Football 39n3s

Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (1-5 on Aggregate): Player Ratings | UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals 4t3i4w

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published17 Apr 2025

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Premier League heavyweights Arsenal knocked reigning European champions Real Madrid out of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) on Wednesday night, April 16, inflicting a 2-1 defeat upon them at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. 

Los Blancos had a mountain to climb in the Champions League quarter-final second leg after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium last week. The 15-time continental conquerors talked up “Remontada (turnaround/comeback in Spanish)” ahead of the Bernabeu meeting. However, they could not walk the talk, exiting the competition with not a bang but a whimper.

Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal: Match Summary 4s52

Real Madrid came charging out of the gate at the Santiago Bernabeu, piling men forward from the first minute. However, the effort on target came from the visitors. Arsenal frontman Bukayo Saka breezed past David Alaba, opened up a bit of room, and had a go at Thibaut Courtois’ goal. The Belgian made a smart save to parry it out of harm’s way.

A couple of minutes later, inexperienced Real Madrid centre-back Raul Asencio brought Mikel Merino to the ground inside the area, awarding Arsenal a penalty. Saka shouldered the responsibility, but the Englishman uncharacteristically made a poor call, attempting to chip Courtois. The Madrid goalkeeper swatted the ball away while leaping to his right.

In the 23rd minute, the referee awarded Madrid a penalty after Declan Rice seemingly brought Kylian Mbappe down inside the box. However, following a long VAR review and the referee’s pitchside consultation, Rice and Arsenal got away scot-free.

Madrid ended the first half with a disappointing xG of 0.11, 0.80 lower than their opposition.

In the 65th minute, Saka finally got the better of Courtois, cheekily dinking the ball past him, finishing off a sensational team move. Arsenal, however, did not enjoy their extended cushion for long. Two minutes later, Vinicius Junior pounced on a rare mistake from William Saliba and slotted the ball into an unprotected net.

That lapse aside, Arsenal never looked uncomfortable against the hosts, and rubbed salt on their open wound with a statement goal in injury time, sealing a 2-1 win.

Explore our complete player ratings for Real Madrid vs Arsenal below.

Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal: Player Ratings 2xb1h

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Arsenal 63332u

Thibaut Courtois (8/10): y6mu

Easily Real Madrid’s best player on the night. He made four saves, including a first-half penalty.

Lucas Vazquez (6/10): 5y1us

Real Madrid captain Lucas Vazquez offered very little on Wednesday night. Lost four of six ground duels, committed three fouls, and misplaced four of five crosses.

Raul Asencio (6/10): 2039v

His lack of experience shone through against the Gunners, as he gave away a silly penalty in the first half. He also failed to track Bukayo Saka for the opening goal.

Antonio Rudiger (6.5/10): 24i8

The towering centre-back had a difficult time against Mikel Merino, losing the Spaniard time and time again. The German did not look as imposing in set-piece situations as well.

David Alaba (4/10): 5s5c3k

Picked up a silly booking just four minutes into the game and spent the remaining 57 minutes tiptoeing around Saka. A poor showing from the veteran.

Fede Valverde (6.5/10): 481yv

Ran his heart out, covering every blade of grass, but he did not carry much of a threat going forward.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): 6v5ne

Aurelien Tchouameni had no answer for the movement of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Won four ground duels and four tackles, but could not create plays from deep.

Jude Bellingham (5/10): z303n

It was another night to forget for Jude Bellingham. Outmuscled and outpaced, the Englishman completed only 22 es, did not have a single shot, and created just one chance.

Rodrygo (6/10): 3m5f1r

Worked tirelessly for 60 minutes, but without having much to show for it. Only one of his 11 crosses landed on target.

Kylian Mbappe (4/10): 3h4h72

Never looked comfortable and was very easily dealt with by the Arsenal back line. Came off injured in the 75th minute.

Vinicius Junior (6.5/10): 681i3w

Took the goal well and tried his best to take the fight to Arsenal, but his playbook was not difficult to read.

Substitutes: 331d59

Fran Garcia (61′) (6/10): Added energy to the backline but lacked finesse.

Dani Ceballos (61′) (5/10): The former Arsenal loanee did not look comfortable. Had no impact.

Endrick (61′) (6/10): Plenty of intent, no end product.

Luka Modric (74′) (N/A): Not enough time to get going.

Brahim Diaz (74′) (N/A): No impact.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Real Madrid 586r4r

David Raya (7/10): w121g

Brilliantly collected crosses, relieving pressure on his defence. Could not do anything to prevent Vinicius’ goal.

Jurrien Timber (7.5/10): 4f1r6c

Did not offer anything going forward but brilliantly nullified Vinicius Junior. A solid display.

William Saliba (7/10): 542a

The costly error aside, William Saliba did not put a foot wrong in the UCL quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid. Completely nullified the threat of Kylian Mbappe.

Jakub Kiwior (7/10): 1c4a4v

Another solid outing by the Polish centre-back. Shared the wavelength with Saliba.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (7.5/10): 21i4d

The 18-year-old, who assisted Mikel Merino’s goal in the first leg, was excellent in Madrid as well. He pulled off two dribbles, played eight es into the final third, made four recoveries, won nine of 11 duels, and drew five fouls.

Thomas Partey (7.5/10): g2g5t

Superbly anchored the midfield, not allowing Jude Bellingham and Co to get comfortable.

Declan Rice (8.5/10): 1a71o

The man who decided the tie with two unstoppable free-kicks in the first leg was brilliant at the Bernabeu as well. He created two chances, won two tackles, made five interceptions, and ed five recoveries. Easily the highest-rated player in the Real Madrid vs Arsenal tie.

Martin Odegaard (7/10): 1i945

The former Real Madrid man was not at his best, but his movement was excellent. He also created a couple of chances and took two shots.

Bukayo Saka (7/10): 4rm3n

Bukayo Saka was like a livewire on the pitch against Real Madrid. He missed a penalty, but made amends with brilliant runs and an extraordinary goal in the second half.

Mikel Merino (8.5/10): 6d254l

Arsenal’s false forward played another impeccable quarter-final game on Wednesday. He created two big chances, claimed two assists, and also made four recoveries. A brilliant shift.

Gabriel Martinelli (8/10): 4y1z5v

Tormented Lucas Vazquez with his runs and scored an excellent goal to cap off a perfect quarter-final run.

Substitutes: 331d59

Leandro Trossard (77′), Ben White (90′), Kieran Tierney (90′), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (90′): No impact.