Arsenal have done the double over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The Gunners went into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 3-0 lead from the first leg. That gave them a huge advantage, but Real Madrid fans truly believed that a comeback was possible.
However, goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli helped Arsenal win 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate over the two legs.
Saka’s goal was a lovely finish, but he should’ve had two. Sadly, he missed a penalty early in the game.
Spanish media react to Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss during Real Madrid vs Arsenal
The atmosphere at the Bernabeu was electric on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid fans did their bit to try and help their side achieve a huge comeback, but Arsenal, for the most part, were very comfortable.
The Gunners won a penalty after Raul Asencio fouled Mikel Merino during a corner. Saka, as he always does, stepped up to take the penalty, but things did not go to plan.
Instead of burying the ball in the back of the net to take the aggregate score to 4-0, Saka decided to try a Panenka against Thibaut Courtois.
However, the England international’s shot was nowhere near the middle. Courtois went the right way, and he had all the time in the world to save it.
A few media outlets in Spain have had a go at Saka. AS even called his penalty ‘horrible’.
They wrote: “Courtois kept the dream of a comeback hot in the first half by saving a penalty from Saka, although the Englishman collaborated by shooting it horribly. But the Belgian guessed the side and stuck out his hand.”
Marca said: “Saka took over and was overly clever. Lazy Panenka and a hand from Courtois.”
Onda Cera praised Saka for troubling David Alaba, but they weren’t too impressed with his penalty either.
They wrote: “The start of the match couldn’t have been more dizzying, a goal disallowed for Mbappé due to offside; yellow to Alaba, who couldn’t stop Saka throughout the game.
“But, the one who did do him was Courtois, who stopped the Panenka-style penalty that the English player took. The penalty, which was awarded four minutes after it occurred, was tame in the middle, and the goalkeeper cleared it with his hand for a corner without problems.”
Saka still silenced the Bernabeu
Things could’ve wrong horribly wrong after Saka missed his penalty, but the Arsenal number seven did not lose his head despite that moment of madness.
Arsenal continued to play well, caused Real Madrid a few problems and defended resolutely for most of the game on Wednesday night.
In the second half, Saka got an opportunity, and the 23-year-old chipped the ball over Courtois’ head to give Arsenal a well-deserved lead on the night.
Saka then shushed the Bernabeu, just like Thierry Henry did when the two sides met each other nearly two decades ago.
We’re sure Saka will be upset about his penalty, but the fact that he still had a huge impact on the game is a massive positive.
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