Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has conceded that his side were fortunate to escape with just a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal.
On Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal delivered a masterclass performance, outclassing the 14-time European champions in every department. Declan Rice stole the show with two sublime free-kick goals, while Mikel Merino added a late third to cap off a dominant night for the Gunners.
Despite the emphatic scoreline, the general consensus was that the margin could have been even wider. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was in inspired form, producing a string of stunning saves to keep his team in the tie. He was particularly impressive when he made a brilliant double save—first denying Rice’s close-range header and then blocking Gabriel Martinelli’s follow-up shot.
After the game, Bellingham didn’t hold back in his assessment.
“We’re lucky to get away with only three,” he admitted. “We were nowhere near it. That’s the fact, and Arsenal were really good. I know two of their goals were free-kicks, but they could have had way more. There is a second leg and that’s what we’re holding on to.”
Real Madrid now face a monumental challenge ahead of the return leg on April 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Not only must they overturn a three-goal deficit, but they’ll also have to do so against an Arsenal side they have never beaten in European competition.
With the pressure mounting and history against them, Los Blancos will need a near-perfect performance if they are to stage another famous Champions League comeback.
