Real Madrid were in a do-or-die situation at the Santiago Bernabéu, trying to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Arsenal. With the first half ending in a 0-0 stalemate, tensions flared as an unexpected moment unfolded between Dani Carvajal and Bukayo Saka during the walk to the locker room.
Carvajal, sidelined for both matches due to an ACL injury, was in the stadium supporting his teammates. However, as Saka made his way off the pitch, the Spanish defender exchanged heated words with the Arsenal star, creating a brief but intense scene that added fuel to the already charged atmosphere.
Bukayo Saka missed a panenka-style penalty that was comfortably saved by Thibaut Courtois. The miss gave Real Madrid a lifeline as they continue to dream of pulling off an improbable comeback in the Champions League quarterfinal.
UEFA explains disallowed penalty on Mbappe
In the 23rd minute of the first half, referee Francois Letexier pointed to the spot, awarding Real Madrid a penalty after Declan Rice appeared to hold Kylian Mbappe inside the box. However, moments later, VAR intervened, overturning the decision and ruling out the penalty.
The reasoning was promptly displayed on the stadium screens, reading: “No penalty – No foul. Arsenal’s player N°41 did not commit a foul on the opponent”. UEFA later provided further clarification, as reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano: “The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice”.
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Video: Bukayo Saka misses panenka penalty for Arsenal vs Real Madrid in Champions League QF 2nd leg
Saka and Martinelli score for Arsenal, while Vinicius finds the net for Real Madrid
After missing a penalty earlier in the game, Bukayo Saka redeemed himself in the 65th minute. The young Arsenal star capitalized on a brilliant assist from Mikel Merino to fire in the opener, giving the Gunners a 1-0 lead on the night and extending their aggregate advantage to 4-0.
However, just two minutes later, Vinicius Jr. reignited the Santiago Bernabeu crowd. A costly misstep in Arsenal’s defense—courtesy of David Raya and William Saliba—gifted the Brazilian winger the opportunity to pounce. Vinicius calmly slotted the ball home to make it 1-1, keeping Real Madrid’s slim hopes of a miraculous comeback alive.
But the Spaniards’ comeback hopes were ultimately dashed when Gabriel Martinelli sealed the deal in stoppage time with a clutch goal in the 93rd minute. Arsenal walked away with a 2-1 victory on the night and an emphatic 5-1 aggregate result. With the win, Mikel Arteta’s squad advances to the semifinals, where they’ll face Paris Saint–Germain in what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
