Arsenal faced Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, needing to defend a 3-0 aggregate lead. In the first half, Bukayo Saka had a chance to extend that lead with a penalty after a VAR review.

The decision came after Raúl Asensio of Real Madrid was penalized for a foul on Mikel Merino in the box. Although Saka has been a reliable penalty taker, he attempted a chip shot that was easily saved by Thibaut Courtois.

THIBAUT COURTOIS SAVES BUKAYO SAKA’S EARLY PENALTY ⛔ pic.twitter.com/3NBgGAldIK
Translation: Arguably the biggest miss for Saka since the Euro 2020 final.

Following that moment, Real Madrid rallied and almost earned a penalty of their own when Declan Rice fouled Kylian Mbappe in the box. A VAR review ultimately ruled it not a foul, keeping Arsenal’s crucial lead intact.

The outcome remains uncertain as the match progresses, with both teams pushing for the decisive goals to secure a spot in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.