A Legendary Moment

UEFA Champions League action may not return to Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium until next week, but Arsenal’s upcoming quarterfinal tie against Real Madrid inspires memories of the last time the Gunners played a knockout game at their opponent’s home grounds – and one of the most iconic moments of Thierry Henry’s playing career.

Arsenal notched a 1-0 win at Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the 2005-06 Champions League season, which was the only goal in the two-legged tie. Henry was a presence throughout the game and finally earned his reward in the 47th minute, when he received the ball inside the center circle and ran past Ronaldo, Alvaro Mejia, Guti, and Sergio Ramos as he dashed down the length of Real Madrid’s half. He finished things off with a shot from inside the box, sending the ball past Iker Casillas and into the bottom right corner.

Watch the strike below.

This win marked the first time an English team triumphed at the Bernabeu and was just the beginning of a memorable Champions League campaign for Arsenal. They went on to beat Juventus and Villarreal to book their first and so far only spot in the Champions League final against Barcelona at the Stade de France. That season was particularly impressive for Henry, who scored five Champions League goals.

Barcelona ultimately won the final that spring in a 2-1 thriller, collecting their second of five Champions League titles. Arsenal took an early lead in the 37th minute through a goal from Sol Campbell, but Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti struck back in quick succession to undo the Gunners’ advantage late in the second half. An early red card for Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, was also a decisive factor.

This time around, Arsenal will first host Real Madrid before returning to the Bernabeu next week as both sides target a spot in the semifinals.