Arsenal secured a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a goalless draw against Sporting CP, progressing 1-0 on aggregate, while Bayern Munich produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Real Madrid 4-3 on the night and 6-4 overall.
The Gunners comfortably saw out the second leg at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, maintaining defensive solidity to book a semi-final clash against Atlético Madrid. Bayern, meanwhile, staged a late thriller at the Allianz Arena, with two goals in the dying minutes overturning Real Madrid’s resistance.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice expressed satisfaction with the progression despite the low-key performance. “I’m delighted. I’m so, so happy. We now want to go one step forward than last season and get to the final,” Rice told TNT Sports. “Frustrating? No… we’ve just got to another semi-final. Who cares what people think.”
The north London side managed the game efficiently in the second half, with little threat from Sporting CP, who failed to break down a disciplined Arsenal backline.
In Munich, the evening unfolded with high drama. Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men late on when Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card for time-wasting, an incident described as costly by pundits.
Luis Diaz equalised for Bayern in the 89th minute with a fine strike from the edge of the box following a clever one-two with Jamal Musiala. Michael Olise then sealed the victory in the fourth minute of stoppage time with a powerful effort that clipped the inside of the post.
Former Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman blamed Real’s ill-discipline for the defeat. “Real Madrid have been undone by ill-discipline. They don’t need to look anywhere but their own dressing room,” he said on TNT Sports. He called Camavinga’s red card “idiotic, ridiculous,” adding that it created the space for Diaz to score.
Steven Gerrard noted the young Frenchman’s likely regret: “Camavinga will be down in the tunnel, head in his hands. He bears full responsibility for this.”
Bayern Munich will now face holders Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
The results mark another strong showing for German and English clubs in Europe’s premier competition, setting up intriguing last-four ties as the Champions League reaches its business end.
