Champions League Football Returns With Two Spectacular Games

 

The Champions League returned with the first two games of the quarterfinals, where Manchester City took on Real Madrid and Arsenal clashed with Bayern Munich. 

Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich 

Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals between the two sides. Bayern started as favourites because of the history between the two teams. Before this game, in the last ten encounters between the two sides, Bayern won five, Arsenal were victorious three times, and two ended in a draw. But this Arsenal team under the coaching of Mikel Arteta was never going to be easy, as they hold the top seed in the English Premier League currently, whereas Bayern Munich are fifteen points behind Bayern Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and hold the second seed. This game was entertaining as two teams fought hard till the end. Bukayo Saka started the scoring for Arsenal as he scored the first goal of the game at the twelve-minute mark, assisted by Ben White. Bayern were quick to respond, as Serge Gnabry equalized six minutes later. At the 32-minute mark, Leroy Sané made an exceptional run against a top Arsenal defence but was fouled by William Saliba in the box. Harry Kane took the penalty and scored, which put Bayern in the driving seat before half-time. The intense game continued in the second half, and at the 75-minute mark, Arsenal equalized courtesy of a timely assist by Gabriel Jesus to Leandro Trossard, who put it in the net without hesitation. The drama continued as late in the game, a penalty was denied to Arsenal. The game ended 2-2 at full-time, the Gunners would've loved a victory at home and would be frustrated not to get one. The second leg is poised nicely in Germany next week, for another incredible game of football.

Real Madrid vs. Manchester City

This was the contest everyone was waiting for since the quarterfinals draft took place. La Liga table toppers Real Madrid took on defending champions Manchester City at home in Santiago Bernabéu. Just 40 seconds into the game, Aurélien Tchouameni committed a foul and received a yellow card, because of which he is suspended from the second leg as well. The foul came as a reward for City, as Bernardo Silva took the free kick 25 yards out and powered it into the net. City got an early lead in the game after a horrible start by Real. The Spanish Giants answered back shortly as Eduardo Camavinga took a shot outside the box, which deflected off of City's captain, the Portuguese defender, Rúben Dias, and went into the net. It was given as an own goal by the referee, and the game was off to an entertaining start. Two minutes later, Rodrygo scored for Real Madrid courtesy of a wonderful pass by Vinícius Jr. This goal put Real in the driving seat, as no more goals were scored before half-time. The goal exchanges continued in the second half as well between the two sides, as at the 66-minute mark, 23-year-old English Forward, Phil Foden, scored a stunning goal as he whipped one into the top-left corner, assisted by John Stones. Five minutes later, Gvardiol put one into the net from the edge of the box as another beautiful goal was witnessed by the crowd at Bernabéu. There was only one final twist left in this high-voltage game. A brilliant cross from Vinícius was powered into the net by Federico Valverde, and it was one hell of a goal. The action-packed contest ended 3-3 at full-time, and excitement amongst the fans is already high for the second leg, which will take place in England next week.