The UEFA Champions League quarterfinals last night delivered thrilling second-leg encounters, with Arsenal and Inter Milan securing their spots in the semifinals. 

At Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid  2-1, and its aggregate in the two-legs was a staggering: 5-1. In a sense, this is a mauling that the holder Real Madrid is not used to, especially in the Champions League, in which it is usually a beast. 

Last night, Arsenal opened the scoring in the 65th minute through Bukayo Saka, who slotted home after a brilliant assist from Martin Ødegaard. Real Madrid responded quickly, with Vinícius Júnior equalising in the 67th minute after capitalising on a defensive error by Jurrien Timber. Gabriel Martinelli, however, sealed the victory for Arsenal in stoppage time, bursting through the defence and finishing calmly past Thibaut Courtois.

Also Read: Champions League: Barcelona in Semis Despite Loss

To beat Madrid in Madrid is a class act. Arsenal pulled it off.

In the Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich at San Siro, Milan, the two played out an exciting draw. But since Inter Milan had won the first-leg 2-1 last week, it progressed to the semis on the aggregate score of 4-3.

Yesterday, it was Bayern which took the lead in the 52nd minute through Harry Kane, who scored with a clinical finish from a Leon Goretzka assist. Inter equalised in the 58th minute, with Lautaro Martínez converting a rebound after his initial header was blocked.

Then Benjamin Pavard gave Inter the lead in the 61st minute with a powerful header from a corner, scoring against his former club. Eric Dier levelled the match for Bayern in the 76th minute with a looping header, but Inter held on to its aggregate advantage. Pavard was the standout performer, delivering a crucial goal and solid defensive display.

The semis lineup is:  Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan vs Barcelona. The matches will be played on April 30 (First Leg), May 7 (Second Leg).

Also Read: Can Real Madrid and Bayern Munich Overturn the Deficit?