Real Madrid's hopes for Champions League glory were dashed as they fell 2-1 to Arsenal in a match that exposed the depth of their current season's troubles. The game, marked by a mixture of high tension and missed opportunities, showcased why this year has been particularly challenging for the Spanish giants.
Key Performances and Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois: Madrid's Last Stand
Rating: 8/10 Thibaut Courtois stood as the bulwark against a more devastating defeat, pulling off crucial saves including a penalty stop from Bukayo Saka. His efforts earned him the man of the match, but sadly, they weren't enough to see Real through to the semifinals.The Flanks: Madrid's Achilles' Heel
Lucas Vazquez: Rating 4/10 Struggled significantly against the agility and pace of Gabriel Martinelli, with Arsenal exploiting Real's flanks throughout the match. Vazquez's offensive contributions were minimal, and defensively, he was often outpaced and outmaneuvered.Central Defense Woes
Raul Asencio and Toni Rudiger: Ratings 5/10 and 4/10 Both central defenders had a night to forget. Asencio was constantly caught out by the movement of Arsenal's midfield, while Rudiger was fortunate to stay on the pitch after a series of reckless challenges.Midfield Battle Lost
Tchouameni and Federico Valverde: Ratings 6/10 and 5/10 Tchouameni worked tirelessly but lacked support, and Valverde's distribution was poor, often surrendering possession cheaply. Jude Bellingham also failed to make a significant impact, leaving Real's midfield overrun and outplayed.
Attacking Disappointment
Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe: Ratings 2/10 each Rodrygo and Mbappe, two of Real's key forwards, were ghosts in a game where their brilliance was desperately needed. Mbappe, in particular, failed to replicate his World Cup heroics, easily contained by Arsenal's defensive setup.A Spark Too Late
Vinicius Junior: Rating 5.5/10 Scored the lone goal for Madrid and showed glimpses of his potential, but lacked the consistent threat required to turn the game around.Substitutes: Too Little, Too Late
Fran Garcia and Luka Modric: Ratings 1/10 and 5/10 Substitutes like Fran Garcia, who showed a lack of commitment on Arsenal's decisive goal, and Luka Modric, in what might be his last Champions League appearance, failed to alter the course of the game. The fresh legs brought on, including Endrick and Dani Ceballos, tried to inject some urgency but couldn't deliver the needed quality.