Arsenal cruise past lacklustre Real Madrid to reach Champions League semis

MADRID - Arsenal snuffed out any chance of a famous Real Madrid comeback to reach the Champions League semi-finals after a 2-1 victory in the Bernabeu Stadium completed a 5-1 aggregate win on April 16.

Holders and 15-times winners Real never looked like clawing back a 3-0 deficit from last weeks quarter-final first leg and when Bukayo Saka scored for the visitors in the 65th minute their fate was effectively sealed.

Vinicius Junior seized on a rare defensive slip a couple of minutes later to rouse the home crowd, but it proved too little too late as Carlo Ancelottis side exited in feeble fashion.

Arsenals superiority over the two legs was underlined in stoppage time as Gabriel Martinelli burst through to score.

They will face Paris St Germain in their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.

Inter beat Bayern

Inter Milan, meanwhile, reached the semis with a 4-3 aggregate win over Bayern Munich, after an enthralling 2-2 draw in the second leg of their quarter-final tie at the San Siro.

After a goalless opening half, Harry Kane put Bayern ahead on the night and level on aggregate seven minutes after the break but six minutes later Lautaro Martinez netted for Inter.

Inter then looked to have killed the tie off after another three minutes when Benjamin Pavard headed in from a corner but Bayern ensured a nervy finale for the home fans when Eric Dier scored with 14 minutes still remaining.

The hosts held on under severe late pressure and advanced to face Barcelona in the semi-final with the Serie A leaders still on course to complete the treble. REUTERS

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