Real Madrid began the match aggressively, trying to overcome the heavy deficit. Early pressure led to a disallowed goal by Kylian Mbappé, ruled offside after VAR review. Arsenal maintained composure and responded well, with Mikel Arteta’s side showing maturity and tactical discipline.
In the 65th minute, Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock after a clever assist from Mikel Merino. Two minutes later, Vinícius Júnior equalized for Real Madrid, taking advantage of a defensive error by William Saliba. The home side pressed for a comeback, but Arsenal remained compact defensively.
During stoppage time, substitute Gabriel Martinelli delivered the final blow. After a quick counterattack, he found space behind Madrid’s defense and slotted the ball past Thibaut Courtois, sealing the victory for the English side.
Key Players
- Bukayo Saka: Despite missing a penalty earlier in the match, Saka scored Arsenal’s first goal and was a constant threat on the right flank.
- Gabriel Martinelli: Came off the bench to score the winning goal in added time, showing his efficiency as an impact player.
- Mikel Merino: Played a brilliant game in midfield, providing two assists and dictating the tempo of Arsenal’s attack.
Referee and VAR Decisions
The referee had a key role in the match, with two major VAR interventions:
Overturned penalty decision initially awarded to Real Madrid after a review.
Disallowed goal by Mbappé for offside in the first half.
