Arsenal and Real Madrid are getting set for one of the most intriguing Champions League matchups of the 2024/25 quarterfinals.
The two sides have fallen off the pace in their respective domestic league tables, meaning Europe is their best chance for top-tier silverware this campaign.
These two European giants, incredibly, have a thin head-to-head history coming into these two meetings. They’ve only met twice ever, leaving this year’s matchup an even more tantalising affair.
The Sporting News details the sparse history between Real Madrid and Arsenal and what’s at stake in this year’s matchup.
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Real Madrid vs. Arsenal history, previous meetings
The only two matches between these two giant clubs came back in early 2006 when they were paired in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Arsenal eliminated Real Madrid by a 1-0 aggregate score over the two legs, with Thierry Henry scoring the only goal of the matchup in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
| Date | Home team | Away team | Result |
| Apr. 16, 2025 | Real Madrid | Arsenal | TBD |
| Apr. 8, 2025 | Arsenal | Real Madrid | TBD |
| Mar. 8, 2006 | Arsenal | Real Madrid | 0-0 |
| Feb. 21, 2006 | Real Madrid | Arsenal | 0-1 |
Real Madrid vs. Arsenal head-to-head record
This paucity of collective history is surprising given the two clubs’ regular appearances in the top European competition.
The 2005/06 Champions League quarterfinals was the stage for their previous encounter, with Arsenal eliminating Real Madrid 1-0 on aggregate.
“The Gunner Galactico” Thierry Henry scored one of the most iconic goals of his illustrious Arsenal career, darting past multiple defenders before finishing from a tight angle.
The first-leg win at the Bernabeu carried them into the semifinals, where they took down Spanish side Villarreal. The Gunners ultimately fell in the final, losing 2-1 despite leading with 10 men against Barcelona in Paris.
