Munich, Germany – The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semi-final line-up is set, with four of Europe’s elite clubs vying for a spot in the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena on May 31, 2025. Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Inter Milan have emerged as the contenders following thrilling quarter-final matches, promising high-stakes clashes in the upcoming rounds.
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Semi-Final Matchups
Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain
First Leg: April 29, 2025 (Emirates Stadium, London)
Second Leg: May 7, 2025 (Parc des Princes, Paris)
Arsenal, fresh off a stunning 5-1 aggregate victory over defending champions Real Madrid, face Paris Saint-Germain, who advanced past Aston Villa. The Gunners’ earlier 2-0 league-phase win over PSG adds intrigue to this matchup.
Which tie are you looking forward to most? 🤔#UCL pic.twitter.com/Y0Tmva9rzO
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 16, 2025
Barcelona vs. Inter Milan
First Leg: April 30, 2025 (Camp Nou, Barcelona)
Second Leg: May 6, 2025 (San Siro, Milan)
Barcelona, who defeated Borussia Dortmund, will take on Inter Milan, victors over Bayern Munich. This tie revisits their 2009/10 semi-final, where Inter triumphed en route to the title, setting the stage for a tactical battle between Barca’s attacking prowess and Inter’s defensive resilience.
Road to Munich
The semi-finals, played over two legs, kick off on April 29-30 and conclude on May 6-7, with all matches starting at 21:00 CET. The winners will advance to the final, where the victor will earn a place in the 2025/26 Champions League and the 2025 UEFA Super Cup. Arsenal’s historic run, alongside powerhouses like Barcelona, Inter, and PSG, ensures a thrilling climax to the competition.
Arsenal etched their name in history on Wednesday, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to secure a 5-1 aggregate triumph and advance to the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009. The Gunners’ victory ended the reign of the 15-time European champions, who failed to stage a comeback despite their storied reputation.
Arsenal, carrying a 3-0 lead from the first leg in London, faced intense pressure but held firm. The match saw dramatic VAR interventions, including a five-minute review that overturned a penalty for Real Madrid after a hold on Kylian Mbappé, and an earlier Arsenal penalty miss by Bukayo Saka. Saka redeemed himself in the 65th minute, scoring after a precise pass from Mikel Merino, only for Vinícius Júnior to equalize following a William Saliba error. Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal, assisted by Merino.
“This is one of the best nights in my football career,” said Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. “To win against a team that’s been an inspiration in this competition, in the manner we have, is something to be proud of.” Declan Rice, who scored twice in the first leg, added, “We had belief from the first game. We knew we’d suffer, but we were determined to win.”
Arsenal now faces Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, while Inter Milan meets Barcelona. Real Madrid’s Mbappé, substituted in the 75th minute with a possible injury, faced jeers from fans, marking another disappointing campaign. “It’s tough, but Madrid always comes back stronger,” said Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez.
