From the first whistle, Arsenal took charge, pressing high and exposing gaps in the Spanish side’s backline. While Thibaut Courtois delivered a string of impressive saves to keep the scoreline respectable, even the Belgian’s heroics couldn’t mask the shortcomings of his teammates.
Players Under the Spotlight
Raul Asencio
The young defender endured a torrid night. Constantly out of position and seemingly overwhelmed by Arsenal’s relentless attack, Asencio was part of a disorganised backline that allowed the hosts far too much freedom.
David Alaba
The Austrian had no answers to Bukayo Saka’s blistering pace and clever movement. His reckless foul on Saka led to Arsenal’s opening goal from a well-worked set-piece. Though he cleared one effort off the line, it was far from a redemptive performance.
Luka Modric
While still composed on the ball, the veteran midfielder couldn’t keep up with the energy of Arsenal’s engine room. He was routinely outpaced and outthought by Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.
Eduardo Camavinga
Started brightly with aggressive tackles and smart positioning, but his influence faded after the break. A costly foul on Saka set up another Arsenal goal, and his night went from bad to worse after receiving a late red card for a second bookable offense.
Rodrygo
Anonymous for much of the night, Rodrygo struggled to find rhythm and repeatedly lost possession. Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri Lewis-Skelly had him firmly in his pocket.
Kylian Mbappé
In what could have been a game-changing moment, the French superstar squandered a clear one-on-one opportunity. That miss marked a turning point as Arsenal seized full control soon after.
VinÃcius Júnior
Electric in the early stages but faded alarmingly as the match wore on. His second-half showing was devoid of any threat, contributing little to Madrid’s offensive efforts.
