In a captivating Champions League round of 16 first leg, Arsenal and Real Madrid took significant steps towards the finals. Arsenal, despite an uneasy beginning, gained momentum quickly when Jurrien Timber scored with a header following an early scare as PSV rattled the woodwork. The London side surged ahead, reaching a remarkable 3-0 lead within the first 30 minutes, exploiting PSV’s defensive lapses.
Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri intensified Arsenal’s advantage with a well-crafted goal in the 21st minute, before Mikel Merino capitalised on a disorganised PSV defence to make it 3-0. A rash challenge from Thomas Partey gave PSV a glimmer of hope as Noa Lang converted a penalty just before halftime. However, the second half saw Arsenal assert their dominance, with captain Martin Odegaard scoring twice, and Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori adding to the tally. The final score of 7-1 was historic, marking the first occasion a team scored seven goals during the knockout phase of the competition.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid triumphed over Atletico in a closely fought Madrid derby, winning 2-1 thanks to Brahim Diaz’s stunning goal in the 55th minute. The match, played at the Santiago Bernabeu, saw Rodrygo open the scoring for Madrid with a brilliant curling shot from inside the box. Atletico equalised through Julian Alvarez’s striking effort in the 32nd minute; however, they couldn’t break the pattern of past defeats against their city rivals, having lost crucial finals to Madrid in 2014 and 2016, as well as in prior knockout rounds.
In another fixture, Aston Villa managed to overcome their dismal away record with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, aided by an own goal from defender Brandon Mechele in the 82nd minute. Until that point, Brugge had appeared strong, holding possession and generating significant chances. Villa took advantage quickly, with a late penalty converted by Marco Asensio further compounding Brugge’s misery.
As the tournament progresses, Arsenal and Real Madrid showcased their credentials, while Aston Villa’s resurgence offers a glimmer of hope in their campaign.