Tunnel clash, missed penalties, and last-minute goals — Arsenal’s quarter-final clash with Real Madrid had it all.
Bukayo Saka and Dani Carvajal stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons during Arsenal’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash — with a tunnel bust-up that has now gone viral.
![]() |
Tensions boil over in the tunnel as Saka and Carvajal clash following Arsenal’s dramatic UCL victory. |
The match at the Emirates was already high-octane, but things reached boiling point at half-time as tempers flared between Arsenal’s Starboy and the fiery Spanish defender.
Tunnel Tensions: Carvajal Grabs Saka’s Neck
As both teams made their way into the dressing rooms, Carvajal suddenly grabbed Saka by the back of the neck, triggering an immediate reaction from the England international.
An enraged Saka spun around, exchanging heated words with the Real Madrid right-back, who jabbed a finger in Saka’s face. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing teammates and match officials to intervene.
🎥 Footage of the scuffle has since gone viral, drawing outrage from fans over Carvajal’s aggressive behavior.
Why is Carvajal fighting Saka? Madrid is the worst club in all of football.
— MessiMania (@M10Update) April 16, 2025
pic.twitter.com/jmV3oGfxtp
Missed Penalty, Redemption, and a Martinelli Masterclass
Before the bust-up, Saka had a chance to silence the Bernabéu crowd with a penalty — but his panenka attempt was easily saved by Thibaut Courtois, adding to the drama.
Real Madrid nearly capitalized moments later when awarded a penalty of their own. However, VAR ruled out the goal due to offside, saving Mikel Arteta from a potential disaster.
But Saka wasn’t done. In the second half, he redeemed himself with a stunning chipped finish, putting Arsenal ahead.
Vinicius Jr. Responds, But Martinelli Steals the Show
A momentary lapse from William Saliba gifted Vinicius Jr an equalizer, and it looked like the match was headed for a draw.
But Gabriel Martinelli, calm under pressure, had other plans — tucking home a late winner deep into injury time, sparking wild celebrations in North London.
Arsenal Into the Semi-Finals: One Step Closer to European Glory
With the 2-1 victory, Arsenal progresses to the Champions League semi-finals, where they’ll face one of Europe’s heavyweights. It’s a massive step forward for Arteta’s men, who are dreaming of a return to European dominance.
Writing the next chapter - TOGETHER 👊 pic.twitter.com/wnVxePE2sY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2025
0 Comments