Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen, Champions League 2025-26: Dominant Gunners Seal Quarter-Final Spot With Clinical Display
Arsenal progressed to the Champions League quarterfinals for the third consecutive season after a commanding 2-0 victory (3-1 on aggregate) over Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium in London, England on March 18, Wednesday. The first half was defined by Arsenal’s relentless pressure and a series of spectacular saves from Leverkusen goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who repeatedly denied Leandro Trossard and Ben White to keep the visitors level. However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 36th minute when Eberechi Eze produced a moment of magic, turning into space and unleashing a 20-yard strike into the top corner to give the Gunners a deserved lead. The second half saw Arsenal maintain their intensity and control, effectively silencing any hope of a Leverkusen comeback. The tie was effectively sealed just after the hour mark when Declan Rice capitalized on a pocket of space outside the area to fire a low, clinical drive into the bottom corner.
Arsenal's Declan Rice celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Leverkusen's Montrell Culbreath, center, tries to block a shot from Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta gives instructions to his players during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Referee Danny Makkelie shows a yellow card to Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios, second left, during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Arsenal's Declan Rice, center, and Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios, right, challenge for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba, left, and Arsenal's Viktor Gyoekeres challenge for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Arsenal's Viktor Gyoekeres, left, and Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba challenge for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze receives medical treatment after sustaining an injury during the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, in London. | Photo: AP/Ian Walton
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