In the second leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Arsenal defeated La Liga giants Real Madrid 2-1 with goals from Saka and Martinelli. After successfully advancing to the Champions League semi-finals, Arsenal striker Martinelli said that he had exhausted all his strength in this game and that this result would be forever engraved in their hearts.

In the 65th minute of the second half, Merino made a through pass, and after Saka got the ball in the penalty area, he pushed the ball into the goal facing Real Madrid goalkeeper Courtois, helping Arsenal take the lead 1-0.

In the 67th minute, Saliba made a mistake when receiving the ball. Vinicius seized the ball and fell to the ground and shot, helping Real Madrid to tie the score 1-1, but they fell behind Arsenal 1-4 in the total score.

In the second half stoppage time, Merino made a straight pass, Martinelli received it and ran into the penalty area and shot into the goal, helping Arsenal extend their lead to 2-1.

In the end, Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at home and successfully won the ticket to the Champions League semi-finals.

The 23-year-old Martinelli said of the goal in this game, "That was the last bit of energy in my body. I was just thinking about running in and hoping that Merino would see me and pass the ball. His pass was really great. After I got the ball, I tried to stay calm and then put the ball into the goal. I was really happy."

"We are very excited and it's a great feeling to beat a team like Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. I feel we deserved this result at the Emirates Stadium and in this game. We know our quality and we know the potential of this team. This family deserves this achievement and it will be engraved in our hearts forever."

Martinelli continued: “It was a great feeling to see the fans happy for us both at the Emirates Stadium and here. It was our responsibility as a team to go over and thank them after the game because they have given us huge support throughout the season.”

On the other hand, Arsenal will face French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain at home in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, which will also be an extremely difficult challenge.

Martinelli said, “We will do our best and continue to work hard. It is every player’s dream to reach the Champions League semi-finals. We are of course very happy, but we will remain calm and down-to-earth because we have not achieved it yet.”