<!–>
The UEFA Champions League semifinals are set.
Arsenal completed its upset of defending champ Real Madrid on Wednesday, while Inter Milan held off Bayern Munich in the day’s other quarterfinal second leg. Both the Gunners and Inter entered the decisive match of their respective total-goals-wins series with the lead.
Arsenal will now face Paris-Saint Germain for a spot in next month’s European final, while the Italians take on Barcelona. The semis kick off on April 29.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
Here are three quick takeaways from Wednesday’s games.
This time, luck wasn’t on Real Madrid’s side
When Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois batted away Bukayo Saka’s penalty-kick attempt in the first half of Wednesday’s contest to prevent Arsenal from taking an insurmountable 4-0 aggregate lead, it was easy to guess what would happen next. With its raucous fans inside Estadio Santiago Bernabéu spurring them on, Real Madrid would use the momentum generated by Courtois’ timely stop to erase the deficit and pull off yet another miracle in the Champions League knockout stage.
For once, the seemingly inevitable comeback never occurred. Not only did Arsenal expertly manage their still-lopsided advantage the rest of the way, Mikel Arteta’s team even got an assist from referee Francois Letexier. The French official, who had given the spotkick against the hosts earlier, declined to award Real a penalty of their own for a similar infraction up the other end, even after the video assistant referee recommended a review. Despite a five-minute delay, Letexier wasn’t swayed by the replay. Suddenly Real Madrid, which could’ve pulled within two goals given the chance to convert from 12 yards, felt as far away from the final four as ever.
Sure enough, no late magic came to the trophy holders’ rescue. Not this year. Not this time. Fittingly, it was Saka who twisted the knife with a backbreaking fourth for the Gunners to make up for his earlier miss. Los Blancos pulled one back before it was over. But the outcome was decided long before Gabriel Martinelli made it 5-1 on aggregate in stoppage time. Real Madrid is out, and Europe will crown a new king this spring.
Gunners return to the semis in style
When the Arsenal fans who made the trip from London to Spain’s capital for Wednesday’s quarterfinal decider against the most fearsome opponent their Gunners could possibly have drawn, they must have considered the prospect of a disappointing trip home.
Those Gooners (as Arsenal diehards are known) instead witnessed history, as Mikel Arteta’s side basically cruised past the record 15-time European titlists to reach the final four for the first time since Arsène Wenger was on the sideline back in 2009.
What can they do for an encore? PSG will present a formidable challenge. But Saka & Co. must also believe that they can defeat any foe after slaying the biggest giant of them all. Given the wholly convincing manner in which they accomplished it, there’s no reason to believe that they can’t.
Inter Milan staves off Bayern’s furious comeback
Top-level soccer games are often likened to a boxing match, with all the ebbs and flows as momentum swings between the two fighters as the exchange blows.
So it was for Inter and Bayern throughout both legs of their bout, which ended with Inter advancing 4-3 on aggregate following a 2-2 tie at the San Siro in Milan.
For Bayern, failing to win either match is unacceptable. The Germans still shouldn’t beat themselves up too much. For every time Inter landed a punch over the 180 minutes, Bayern responded with one of its own — trading goals almost all the way until Inter’s Benjamin Savard settled it with the eventual series winner. Bloodied but not yet beaten, Bayern still hung around all the way until the final whistle, pulling back within one goal through Eric DIer with about a quarter-hour still to play.
Nonetheless, Inter is moving on, with only Barcelona left standing between the Serie A leaders and a second Champions League final appearance in the last three seasons.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men’s and women’s national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ByDougMcIntyre.
<!–>
recommended
Get more from UEFA Champions League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Here’s why Donald Trump canceled the Philadelphia Eagles’ White House invitation after their Super Bowl LII victory
It has become a tradition for the champion teams of the most popular sports in the United States to pay a visit to the White House to share with the president of the United States the joy of their hegemony, their achievement and their legacy for their fans, but the ground does not always look well paved when a logical element is added to the equation: principles and political preferencesOn several sadly recent occasions, there have been cases of reluctance on the part of players and coaching staffs who choose not to be part of the contingent that visits the White House, such as the NBA's Golden State Warriors or the Philadelphia Eagles who won Super Bowl LIIThis matter is relevant again in light of the Eagles' upcoming visit to the White House on April 28, and to the same […]
Caitlin Clark’s offseason transformation: A stronger, more determined star
Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever's standout guard, has emerged from the offseason with a physique that reflects her commitment to elevating her game. Known for her exceptional shooting and playmaking abilities, Clark has taken deliberate steps to enhance her physical strength, aiming to better withstand the rigors of professional basketball.A visible changeDuring a recent visit to her alma mater, the University of Iowa, Clark was photographed showcasing significantly more muscle mass, particularly in her arms. The images quickly circulated on social media, prompting reactions from fans and sports personalities alike. Dave Portnoy, a prominent figure in the sports community, expressed his astonishment, stating, "Look at those biceps." The photos were confirmed authentic by sports photographer Bri Lewerke, dispelling any doubts about their veracity. Addressing the buzz surrounding her transformation, Clark appeared on The Bird and Taurasi Show, where she humorously […]
Shedeur Sanders reacts to getting picked by Browns: ‘Thank you for giving me a chance’
Getty Images Shedeur Sanders continued to wait for his name to be called well into Day 3 of the NFL Draft. When the Cleveland Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick, Sanders couldn't contain his excitement. "Thank you everybody for all the support," Sanders said. "Thank you to the Browns organization for giving me a chance. That's all I need. ... We know these decisions, things happen. ... You can't control the uncontrollable. You can't control that. You gonna stay positive and stay happy at all times. Know God got you. I knew God had me." Sanders, who was largely projected a first-round pick in the days leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, stayed positive despite his continued wait. After two quarterbacks were taken in the first round (Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart), three more quarterbacks (Tyler Shough, Jalen […]
Edmundo aponta clube que corre risco de quebrar no Brasil: “Já se ligou”
Edmundo, ex-jogador de Vasco e Palmeiras (Reprodução) Edmundo, ao falar do Vasco, recordou os gastos milionários de Alexandre Mattos. Apesar do período curto na diretoria do clube carioca, o dirigente foi o responsável por um investimento de R$ 120 milhões em reforços. Como o Cruzeiro também está abrindo os cofres para trazer jogadores, o ídolo cruz-maltino vê margem para o time celeste, novamente, ficar quebrado financeiramente. “Tem muita gente que sente saudades da 777. Outras grandes besteiras foram feitas pelo Alexandre Mattos, que está repetindo essas mesmas besteiras no Cruzeiro.”, disse Edmundo, em live no canal Mundo Ed. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “O Pedrinho (Lourenço), do Cruzeiro, já se ligou que o Alexandre Mattos quebrou o Cruzeiro uma vez. Se ele não ficar esperto, vai quebrar a segunda.”, acrescentou. Edmundo detona acordo fechado por Mattos Além do custo fixo de R$ 32 […]
Copa del Rey final latest score: Can Barca keep up treble chase?
Starting Lineups - Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 26.04.2025 Skip to content Barcelona 25 W Szczesny 23 J Koundé 2 P Cubarsí 5 Iñigo Martínez 35 G Martín Langreo 8 Pedri 21 F De Jong 19 L Yamal 20 D Olmo 11 Raphinha (c) 7 F Torres 1 M ter Stegen 4 R Araújo 6 P Paez Gaviria 10 A Fati 13 I Peña 14 P Torre 15 A Christensen 16 F López 18 P Delgado 24 E Garcia 32 H Fort Real Madrid 1 T Courtois 17 L Vazquez (c) 35 R Asencio del Rosario 22 A Rüdiger 23 F Mendy 14 A Tchouameni 8 F Valverde 19 D Ceballos 5 J Bellingham 11 Rodrygo 7 Vinicius Júnior 13 A Lunin 26 F González 15 A Guler 16 Endrick 4 D Alaba 18 J Vallejo 9 K Mbappe 20 […]
Crystal Palace had ‘no doubt’ on Oliver Glasner despite slow start to season
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said the club “never had any doubt” about head coach Oliver Glasner despite their slow start to the 2024-25 campaign.Glasner has taken Palace to the FA Cup final, defeating Aston Villa 3-0 in Saturday’s semi-final, and to within one match of the club’s first ever major trophy.AdvertisementHowever, the south London side failed to win any of their opening eight Premier League matches this term, picking up just three points, while their victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur was their only win in their first 13 league games of the season.Palace are now 12th in the table, 24 points above the relegated sides and have reached just their third ever FA Cup decider.Parish was asked by BBC Sport after the match on Glasner’s work and said he never doubted the 50-year-old’s ability to turn the situation […]
Related
Here’s why Donald Trump canceled the Philadelphia Eagles’ White House invitation after their Super Bowl LII victory
It has become a tradition for the champion teams of the most popular sports in the United States to pay a visit to the White House to share with the president of the United States the joy of their hegemony, their achievement and their legacy for their fans, but the ground does not always look well paved when a logical element is added to the equation: principles and political preferencesOn several sadly recent occasions, there have been cases of reluctance on the part of players and coaching staffs who choose not to be part of the contingent that visits the White House, such as the NBA's Golden State Warriors or the Philadelphia Eagles who won Super Bowl LIIThis matter is relevant again in light of the Eagles' upcoming visit to the White House on April 28, and to the same […]
Caitlin Clark’s offseason transformation: A stronger, more determined star
Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever's standout guard, has emerged from the offseason with a physique that reflects her commitment to elevating her game. Known for her exceptional shooting and playmaking abilities, Clark has taken deliberate steps to enhance her physical strength, aiming to better withstand the rigors of professional basketball.A visible changeDuring a recent visit to her alma mater, the University of Iowa, Clark was photographed showcasing significantly more muscle mass, particularly in her arms. The images quickly circulated on social media, prompting reactions from fans and sports personalities alike. Dave Portnoy, a prominent figure in the sports community, expressed his astonishment, stating, "Look at those biceps." The photos were confirmed authentic by sports photographer Bri Lewerke, dispelling any doubts about their veracity. Addressing the buzz surrounding her transformation, Clark appeared on The Bird and Taurasi Show, where she humorously […]
Shedeur Sanders reacts to getting picked by Browns: ‘Thank you for giving me a chance’
Getty Images Shedeur Sanders continued to wait for his name to be called well into Day 3 of the NFL Draft. When the Cleveland Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick, Sanders couldn't contain his excitement. "Thank you everybody for all the support," Sanders said. "Thank you to the Browns organization for giving me a chance. That's all I need. ... We know these decisions, things happen. ... You can't control the uncontrollable. You can't control that. You gonna stay positive and stay happy at all times. Know God got you. I knew God had me." Sanders, who was largely projected a first-round pick in the days leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, stayed positive despite his continued wait. After two quarterbacks were taken in the first round (Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart), three more quarterbacks (Tyler Shough, Jalen […]
Edmundo aponta clube que corre risco de quebrar no Brasil: “Já se ligou”
Edmundo, ex-jogador de Vasco e Palmeiras (Reprodução) Edmundo, ao falar do Vasco, recordou os gastos milionários de Alexandre Mattos. Apesar do período curto na diretoria do clube carioca, o dirigente foi o responsável por um investimento de R$ 120 milhões em reforços. Como o Cruzeiro também está abrindo os cofres para trazer jogadores, o ídolo cruz-maltino vê margem para o time celeste, novamente, ficar quebrado financeiramente. “Tem muita gente que sente saudades da 777. Outras grandes besteiras foram feitas pelo Alexandre Mattos, que está repetindo essas mesmas besteiras no Cruzeiro.”, disse Edmundo, em live no canal Mundo Ed. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “O Pedrinho (Lourenço), do Cruzeiro, já se ligou que o Alexandre Mattos quebrou o Cruzeiro uma vez. Se ele não ficar esperto, vai quebrar a segunda.”, acrescentou. Edmundo detona acordo fechado por Mattos Além do custo fixo de R$ 32 […]
Copa del Rey final latest score: Can Barca keep up treble chase?
Starting Lineups - Barcelona vs Real Madrid | 26.04.2025 Skip to content Barcelona 25 W Szczesny 23 J Koundé 2 P Cubarsí 5 Iñigo Martínez 35 G Martín Langreo 8 Pedri 21 F De Jong 19 L Yamal 20 D Olmo 11 Raphinha (c) 7 F Torres 1 M ter Stegen 4 R Araújo 6 P Paez Gaviria 10 A Fati 13 I Peña 14 P Torre 15 A Christensen 16 F López 18 P Delgado 24 E Garcia 32 H Fort Real Madrid 1 T Courtois 17 L Vazquez (c) 35 R Asencio del Rosario 22 A Rüdiger 23 F Mendy 14 A Tchouameni 8 F Valverde 19 D Ceballos 5 J Bellingham 11 Rodrygo 7 Vinicius Júnior 13 A Lunin 26 F González 15 A Guler 16 Endrick 4 D Alaba 18 J Vallejo 9 K Mbappe 20 […]
Crystal Palace had ‘no doubt’ on Oliver Glasner despite slow start to season
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said the club “never had any doubt” about head coach Oliver Glasner despite their slow start to the 2024-25 campaign.Glasner has taken Palace to the FA Cup final, defeating Aston Villa 3-0 in Saturday’s semi-final, and to within one match of the club’s first ever major trophy.AdvertisementHowever, the south London side failed to win any of their opening eight Premier League matches this term, picking up just three points, while their victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur was their only win in their first 13 league games of the season.Palace are now 12th in the table, 24 points above the relegated sides and have reached just their third ever FA Cup decider.Parish was asked by BBC Sport after the match on Glasner’s work and said he never doubted the 50-year-old’s ability to turn the situation […]
Be the first to leave a comment