SAKA HAS KAYO PUNCH

Winger finishes off Real Madrid after horror first-half pen miss

- BY JOHN CROSS

THE fabled 'remontada' never arrived. Instead, it was Arsenal who enjoyed one of their greatest European nights.

Mikel Arteta’s men were brave, strong and defiant as they marched into their first Champions League semi-final for 16 years.

This was some statement by Arsenal as they overwhelmed mighty Real Madrid at the Emirates last week - and then delivered another sensational victory in last night's second leg in Spain.

Bukayo Saka made up for a shocking penalty miss in the first half by putting Arsenal in front with an exquisite finish only for William Saliba to make the only mistake of the night to gift Vinicius Junior an equaliser.

But even then Arsenal held firm, slowed the game down and quelled the noise and atmosphere before Gabriel Martinelli delivered the knock-out blow in injury time.

Success was down to Arsenal's brilliant defending as well as Real Madrid having another off night. The 15-time European champions were reduced to an endless stream of crosses and did not get a shot on target until the 56th minute.