Champions League 2024/25 quarter-final first leg: Arsenal stun Real Madrid, Barcelona rampant | OneFootball

The first legs of the Champions League quarter-final ties were played this week and were laden with drama.

Read on as we examine what happened in the four games and look ahead to the reverse fixtures.

Declan Rice stars in Arsenal’s memorable night

Arsenal produced one of their most complete performances of the season, beating Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, the Gunners took control of the tie courtesy of two magnificent free-kicks by England midfielder Declan Rice.

He had never previously scored a free-kick or a brace in his career, but couldn’t have picked a better moment to break those two trends.

The rout was complete with 15 minutes to play, as Lewis Myles-Skelly set up Mikel Merino for an inch-perfect first-time finish into the corner.

Madrid ended the game with 10 men after Eduardo Camavinga was dismissed in injury time following a second bookable offence.

Los Blancos have previously pulled off ‘Great Escapes’, but this one could prove to be a bridge too far.

Inter record a famous win in Munich

Inter Milan recorded a memorable 2-1 win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, giving themselves a fantastic chance of progressing at the San Siro next week.

Harry Kane spurned an early chance to put Bayern ahead and they were punished when Lautaro Martinez put Inter ahead before the break.

The back three of Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi and Benjamin Pavard stood firm, clearing crosses away with minimum fuss and not allowing Bayern to create clear-cut chances.

Substitute Thomas Muller eventually equalised for Bayern, but the joy proved to be short-lived as Inter restored their lead.

Nicola Barella released Carlos Augusto on the left, and his low cross was lashed in by substitute Davide Frattesi.

Pandemonium ensued in the Inter camp, and they are in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals.

Lewandowski scores twice as Barcelona demolish Dortmund

Barcelona took a huge step towards the semi-final with a 4-0 trouncing of Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Hansi Flick’s men are on course for a quadruple this season and proved once again why they are one of the most irresistible attacking forces in Europe.

Raphinha bundled home from close range in the 25th minute, and Barcelona never looked in danger thereafter.

Robert Lewandowski put the result beyond doubt with an 18-minute brace against his former club.

Raphinha was involved in the final goal of the game, playing in Lamine Yamal to make it 4-0.

Barcelona are unbeaten in 23 games in all competitions and will be a tough nut to crack in the Champions League this season.

PSG deliver late hammer blow against Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain won a frenetic game at the Parc des Princes, coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1.

Morgan Rogers put Villa ahead, but Desire Doue’s superb effort ensured their lead was short-lived.

Luis Enrique’s side took the lead early in the second half. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ran rings around half-time substitute Axel Disasi before thundering the ball home at the near post.

A 2-1 defeat heading back to Villa Park would have been a decent result for the Premier League side, but PSG deservedly extended their advantage in stoppage time.

Nuno Mendes ran through on goal and was found perfectly by Ousmane Dembele.

The Portuguese defender kept his nerve and fired home to give the Ligue 1 champions a two-goal lead.