Bayern Munich romped to the quarterfinals of the Champions League with another 5-1 drubbing of Arsenal at the Emirates Tuesday to bring the aggregate score to 10-2.
Arsene Wenger’s fumbling side was looking to become the first team to overturn a 5-1 from the first leg and led at halftime through Theo Walcott’s blistering goal in the 20th minute.
However, it all fell apart for the hosts in North London once Robert Lewandowski levelled from the penalty spot following a sending off for Arsenal skipper Laurent Koscielny, triggering a blitzkrieg from the hitherto subdued Germans.
Arjen Robben made the most of a defensive mistake to put Carlo Ancelotti’s men ahead in the 68th minute before substitute Douglas Costa curled in a third to send Arsenal’s fans streaming towards the exits 10 minutes later.
There was yet more punishment for the Gunners as Arturo Vidal struck twice, both from close range, to inflict Arsenal’s worst home defeat in nearly 20 years and a seventh successive elimination at the competition’s last-16 stage in humiliating fashion.
In the night’s other fixture, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was the hero yet again as he struck decisively in the second half to thwart Napoli’s brave comeback attempt and take the Champions League title-holders into the quarterfinals.
Napoli, trailing 3-1 from the first leg of the round of 16 tie, looked on course for a comeback as they dominated the first half and took the lead through in-form forward Dries Mertens.
Ramos to the rescue yet again
Real almost snatched an equaliser against the run of play moments later when Karim Benzema played Cristiano Ronaldo through on goal but the Portuguese could only fire at the upright after rounding Pepe Reina in Napoli goal.
Mertens meanwhile, hit the woodwork with a shot on the turn as Napoli continued to pepper Real goal with shots.
With Madrid wobbling in the second period, Ramos popped up with another decisive intervention after Marek Hamsik gave the ball away in midfield, the Spaniard rising above the Napoli defence to head in Toni Kroos’ corner in the 51st minute.
The Spain captain struck again six minutes later, firing in another header that took a massive deflection of Mertens before substitute Alvaro Morata put the final nail in Napoli’s coffin with a rebound late on.
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