Real Madrid host Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg this evening looking to overturn a 3-0 deficit in front of their home fans.
The Gunners won the first leg in London in comprehensive fashion thanks to two goals from free kicks taken by Declan Rice and a third strike from Mikel Merino. Arsenal know that anything but a big defeat will be enough to send them through to the last four stage of the competition where they would face PSG after the French champions defeated Aston Villa yesterday.
Madrid, who are also aiming to catch Barcelona in LaLiga, will not believe they are out of this tie especially with their recent history of overturning losing causes to progress in the Champions League.
Jude Bellingham revealed that the hosts are focused on winning saying: “We believe so. You can’t come into a game like this thinking that there’s going to be anything other than a comeback. That’s the way we’re thinking about the game.”
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
45+5 mins: Save!
A quick move from Arsenal sees them get the ball to Odegaard who slips it across to Rice.
Rice plays the ball into the feet of Martinelli who shoots from a tight angle and forces a save out of Courtois at the near post.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
45+3 mins: There are seven minutes of added time to play in the first half.
If Arsenal can get into the break without conceding that will be a huge achievement and move them one step closer to the semi-finals.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
45 mins: Arsenal have been under a bit of pressure at the back but Lewis-Skelly’s clearance is sent up towards Saka.
He gets to the ball first who is then bungled to the ground by Lucas Vazquez.
The free kick relieves a bit of the pressure on the Gunners.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
42 mins: A Real Madrid corner is swung into the penalty area but David Raya pushes his way through the crowd to punch the ball out of play.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
39 mins: Real Madrid’s intensity has been drained slightly as the stop-start nature of the match is playing into Arsenal’s favour.
The Gunners are trying to slow the tempo, control possession and limit the pace at which Real can attack them.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
36 mins: Martin Odegaard floats a free kick into the box after Antonio Rudiger takes out Mikel Merino.
The ball drops to Jurrien Timber who spins and shoots with his first touch but only manages to lift the ball over the top of the crossbar.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
33 mins: Mbappe takes a shot from a long way out and fizzes it wide of the far post. David Raya seemingly had it covered.
Arsenal need to remain switched on as there’ll be plenty of time added on to this half now too.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
30 mins: Declan Rice has had a reprieve as well. That booking, which has now bee rescinded, would have meant he missed the first leg of the semi-final if Arsenal get there.
The Real Madrid fans boo the referee’s decision but it was the right one.
Kylian Mbappe was trying to buy the penalty from the official.
It took way too long to come to the decision though, it was five minutes to decide.
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
27 mins: No penalty!
This VAR check is taking a long, long time.
It’s almost been four minutes and there may be an offside in the build up. The referee has been sent to the pitchside screen again.
He watches the replays and decides that the penalty shouldn’t be given!
Penalty to Real Madrid!
Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (0-3 agg)
23 mins: Oh hello!
A free kick is whipped into the Arsenal penalty area and comes towards Kylian Mbappe.
Declan Rice has his arms on the forward who easily goes to ground.
The referee points to the spot and puts Rice in the book with a yellow card as well.
VAR is checking this one too but the feeling is that this will stand, soft as it may be.