Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Champions League Semi-Final First Leg Match Report

Arsenal delivered a commanding performance in the Champions League semi-final first leg, defeating Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, 21st October 2025. The Gunners produced a devastating 13-minute spell in the second half to secure a statement victory and maintain their 100% record in the competition’s league phase.

Match Summary

Arsenal broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Gabriel Magalhães headed home from a Declan Rice free-kick to make it 1-0 in the 57th minute. Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead seven minutes later, finishing neatly after a swift counter-attack in the 64th minute.

The floodgates opened shortly after as Viktor Gyokeres ended his seven-game goal drought for the club with a brace. He scored in the 67th minute and added his second just three minutes later in the 70th minute to make it 4-0. The four goals came in a mere 13 second-half minutes, leaving Atletico Madrid shell-shocked and unable to respond.

The victory saw Arsenal reach a historic milestone, recording their 100th win in the Champions League – making them only the seventh club in the competition’s history to achieve this feat.

Key Moments

• 57′: Gabriel Magalhães scores from a Declan Rice free-kick (1-0)
• 64′: Gabriel Martinelli doubles Arsenal’s lead (2-0)
• 67′: Viktor Gyokeres scores his first Champions League goal for Arsenal (3-0)
• 70′: Gyokeres completes his brace to make it 4-0

Post-Match Reaction

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson praised the performance on Sky Sports, stating: “A massive statement [win]. I haven’t seen an Atletico team look like that for a long time. They looked lost, literally lost. They looked beaten up and were just well, well beaten.”

The result leaves Arsenal in a strong position ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium, with a place in the Champions League final now firmly within reach.