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ARSENAL THRASH REAL MADRID, ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS FOR THIRD TIME IN HISTORY

Arsenal has made history by defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal match, securing a 5-1 aggregate victory and advancing to the semi-finals for the third time in the club’s history. The Gunners dominated the match, with Bukayo Saka scoring a stunning chipped finish and Gabriel Martinelli netting the second goal. Vinicius Junior scored the only goal for Real Madrid. Saka had a notable match, despite missing a penalty in the first half. His determination and skill ultimately paid off as he scored the crucial goal. “The performance was truly dominant,” fans and pundits alike praised the team’s resilience and strategy. This victory marks a significant milestone for Arsenal, who have never lost or conceded a goal in their three encounters with Real Madrid in the Champions League. The team’s impressive performance was led by key players like Saka, Martinelli, and Mikel Merino, who was rated 8.7/10 by Fotmob. Merino’s exceptional play earned him Player of the Match honors. Arsenal will now face Paris St-Germain in the semi-finals, a team they have previously clashed with in the competition. With their momentum and confidence boosted by this win, Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating the next stage of the tournament.

MBAPPE HAT-TRICK SEALS REAL MADRID’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST 16 SPOT

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick propelled Real Madrid to a 3-1 win over Manchester City, securing a 6-3 aggregate victory and a spot in the Champions League last 16. The French superstar’s goals in the 4th, 33rd, and 61st minutes sealed the deal for the 15-time record winners, who dominated the match from start to finish. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, on the other hand, suffered a painful early exit, failing to make a significant impact until Nico Gonzalez’s consolation goal in stoppage time. The English side’s injury woes didn’t help, with Erling Haaland missing the starting lineup due to a knee problem and John Stones forced off early in the game. “We couldn’t defend well with the movement from Mbappe, and it was more difficult,” Guardiola admitted. “The best team won, they deserved it. They were better. What we have to do is accept the reality and move forward”. Real Madrid’s victory sets up a potential last 16 clash with either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen. With Mbappe in sensational form, the holders are looking strong contenders to claim a 16th Champions League title.

REAL MADRID BECOME FIRST FOOTBALL CLUB TO BREAK €1 BILLION REVENUE BARRIER

Akpo Ojo Real Madrid have become the first football club to generate more than 1billion euros in annual revenue, according to analysis by Deloitte. The Spanish club retain top spot in Deloitte’s Money League study with revenue of 1.05billion euros (£883m) from a 2023-24 season in which they won La Liga and the Champions League. Manchester City are again second with revenue of £708m.They won an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title and the Club World Cup and European Super Cup last season.Paris St-Germain (£681m), Manchester United (£651m) and Bayern Munich (£646m) complete the top five. Aston Villa enter the top 20 after competing in Europe last season for the first time since 2011.Nine Premier League clubs are in the top 20, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham retaining their places. Lyon are the only other new club, with Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt dropping out. A further five Premier League clubs are in the top 30, with Brighton 21st after competing in the Europa League for the first time in their history. Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham and Wolves are ranked 26th to 29th.Revenues for the top 20 clubs rose by six percent to a record £9.47billion.Match day revenue was the fastest growing revenue stream, rising by 11 percent to £1.77billion, helped by an increase in stadium capacity, ticket prices and premium hospitality.Real benefited most from an increase in match day revenues, generating £210millio – double last year’s figure – after renovation of their Bernabeu Stadium. Barcelona dropped from fourth to sixth after a £53million fall in match day revenue, with games played at a smaller stadium, while the Nou Camp is being redeveloped. Commercial revenue remained the largest revenue source in the Money League, rising 10 percent to £4.14billion and accounting for 44 percent of total revenue, helped by the hosting of non-football live events such as concerts.“Money League clubs continue to break records with ongoing growth in commercial and match day revenues,” said Tim Bridge, lead partner in the Deloitte sports business group. Total broadcast revenue remained at £3.64billion because each of the big five leagues – the Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, German Bundesliga, France’s Ligue 1 and Italy’s Serie A are in the same domestic broadcast cycle.