Champions League: Arsenal thrash PSV 7-1 as Real Madrid beat Atletico

Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday night, while Real Madrid claimed a small edge on city rivals Atletico Madrid with a tight 2-1 win.

Arsenal were on a different level to the struggling Dutch champions, who were condemned to their worst-ever defeat in European football.

Arsenal dominated from the outset. Declan Rice’s powerful shot into the PSV net in 11 minutes was chalked off for a narrow offside, but it was a taste of what was to come.

Against the run of play, PSV should have taken the lead after a quarter of an hour but Ismael Saibari somehow contrived to hit the bar from close range with goalkeeper David Raya already beaten.

Arsenal made the hosts pay for their profligacy two minutes later. Rice was afforded far too much space in the PSV box, allowing him to chip a cross to the far post, gratefully headed home by Arsenal’s own flying Dutchman, Jurrien Timber.

The visitors doubled their lead shortly afterwards following more generous Dutch defending.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, the 18-year-old English defender, found himself in acres of space in a dangerous area, squaring to fellow teenager Nwaneri, who smashed the cross into the top corner.

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PSV’s shambolic defending turned to embarrassment as Arsenal made it three after just over half an hour played.

The defence squandered four chances to make an easy clearance, the ball eventually falling to makeshift striker Mikel Merino, who rolled past Walter Benitez.

The shellshocked fans in the Philips Stadion received a glimmer of hope however just before half-time, PSV winning a penalty after Thomas Partey needlessly wrapped his arms around striker Luuk de Jong’s head.

Netherlands international winger Noa Lang made no mistake from the spot, smashing the ball into the top corner, giving Raya no chance.

It was a lifeline for the Dutch champions, who went into half-time 3-1 down after a breathless first 45 minutes.

Martin Odegaard scored either side of Leandro Trossard’s dinked finish in the second half to put this round of 16 tie well beyond the Dutch side even before next week’s second leg in London. Riccardo Calafiori made it a magnificent seven to cap the night.

Real Madrid also claimed a small edge on city rivals Atletico Madrid with a tight 2-1 Champions League last-16 first leg win on Tuesday.

Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico after Rodrygo Goes sent the hosts ahead, but Brahim Diaz stroked home the winner for the record 15-time winners to delight the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 home draw by Lille, while Aston Villa defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

The Star