- Arsenal demolish PSV 7-1 in Champions League last-16 first leg.
- Odegaard and Trossard score in a dominant second half.
- Biggest away win in Arsenal’s European history sets up quarter-final clash with Atletico or Real Madrid.
- Aston Villa edge Brugge 3-1, while Dortmund and Lille draw 1-1.
Arsenal produced a stunning performance to thrash PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Gunners scored three times in the first half before adding four more after the break, securing their biggest away win in European competition.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 18th minute, followed by a goal from teenager Ethan Nwaneri. Mikel Merino struck in the 31st minute to make it 3-0. PSV pulled one back with a Noa Lang penalty just before halftime, but Arsenal’s dominance continued.
Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard scored within three minutes of the restart, and Odegaard added his second in the 73rd minute before Riccardo Calafiori sealed the rout in the 85th minute.
The emphatic victory puts Arsenal in a near-unassailable position for the quarter-finals, where they will face either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid.
Atletico and Real Madrid Set for Fierce Return Leg
Real Madrid edged Atletico 2-1 in their last-16 first leg, with both teams appearing to hold back at times, likely conserving energy for a thrilling return leg at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium next week.
Aston Villa Beat Brugge, Dortmund and Lille Draw
In the Europa League, Aston Villa secured a 3-1 away win over Club Brugge, with an own goal and a late penalty sealing victory.
- Leon Bailey opened the scoring early for Villa.
- Brugge’s Maxim De Cuyper equalized in the 12th minute.
- Brandon Mechele’s own goal and a Marco Asensio penalty in the last eight minutes gave Villa the win.
Dortmund and Lille played out a 1-1 draw in their first-leg tie, leaving everything to play for in the second leg.
Upcoming Matches
On Wednesday, PSG take on Liverpool, Benfica face Barcelona, Bayern Munich clash with Bayer Leverkusen, and Feyenoord meet Inter Milan in blockbuster matchups.
