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The first-leg matchdays of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Quarter-final ties have definitely lived up to expectations, offering us some of the most iconic matches and memorable moments to cherish.
Arsenal have stunned Real Madrid at home through Declan Rice's spectacular free-kicks, whereas Barcelona have dismantled Dortmund to practically edge closer to the semi-finals.
Inter Milan and PSG have also earned the desired lead over Bayern Munich and Aston Villa, respectively, before heading on to the return leg next week.
Best first-leg performance? ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/kebofmm9aD
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 10, 2025
UEFA Champions League 2024-25 Quarter-final First Leg Round Up
Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid
Arsenal have stunned Real Madrid, the reigning champions in the first leg, by crushing them 3-0 at the Emirates to secure a huge lead in the tie.
Declan Rice's free-kicks have taken all the spotlights and convincingly so, as the Gunners remain unbeaten against Los Blancos on a Champions League night.
Right in the top corner from Rice 😳#UCL pic.twitter.com/ir38EOf6X2
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 9, 2025
After a goal-less first half, Rice rocketed both of his free-kicks into the net in the 58th and 70th minute, and Mikel Merino found a third one in the 75th minute. The North London Club scored three in just 17 minutes!
Arsenal will travel to Real Madrid for the return leg encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 17th.
Bayern Munch 1-2 Inter Milan
An electric game ended in Inter Milan's favour as the Italian club scored a late winner to earn a 2-1 away victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.
Cesare Augusto and Marcus Thuram combined to set up a beautiful trivela goal from Lautaro Martinez, the Nerrazzuri skipper, in the 38th minute. Inter led at the break, but after a couple of wasted opportunities from both sides, Thomas Muller pulled off the equalizer for Bayern in the 85th minute, only ten minutes after coming off the bench.
Grinta, corsa...𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒊 🖤💙#ForzaInter #UCL #BayernMonacoInter pic.twitter.com/F21ElElyzX
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) April 9, 2025
However, Inter did not get startled and snatched a late winner in the 88th minute through Davide Frattesi's flashy strike in the 88th minute following another brilliant Augusto set up.
Inter Milan will welcome Bayern Munich at the San Siro Stadium in Milan on 17 April.
FC Barcelona 4-0 Borussia Dortmund
FC Barcelona rampaged over Borussia Dortmund at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, crushing them 4-0 to practically book their berth in the semis.
Raphinha scored a cheeky goal in the 25th minute of the game as the Catalan side led 1-0 at the break. However, the floodgates opened in the second half, with Lewandowski scoring a goal in the 48th minute and completing his brace in the 66th minute. Lamine Yamal netted the fourth one for Barca in the 77th minute, securing a massive lead in the tie.
That wasn't football.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 9, 2025
That was poetry. pic.twitter.com/KFbKUJjKia
The Black-Yellow army will host Barcelona for the return leg on 16th April at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Aston Villa
Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to put three past Aston Villa, securing a 3-1 lead in the first leg at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
PSG showed a proper dominance over Villa throughout the match, despite Morgan Rogers drawing the first blood in the 35th minute. Desire Doue, the 19-year-old PSG wonderkid, netted the equalizer only four minutes later with a sublime long-ranger strike.
A first leg full of emotions! 😍
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 10, 2025
📸 Shot by Elo
pic.twitter.com/ka5eQa0OdO
The game remained all square at the break, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia handed PSG the lead in the only four minutes into the second half. Nuno Mendes secured a two-goal lead in the tie with a marvellous finish in the dying moments of the game.