Real Madrid 0, Arsenal 1, FT (Champions League)
Considering Arsenal’s history of struggles away from home in this competition, yesterday’s first leg quarter final win at Real Madrid is no small surprise. And once again, in the midst of a miserable domestic campaign, it was the North London side’s All-Universe striker who put the club on his back. From the Telegraph’s Henry Winter.
Against the odds, against seemingly half of Real’s fabled side, Thierry Henry collected possession from Cesc Fabregas just after the break and just ran and ran, as if his life depended on it. First he eluded Ronaldo, then Alvaro Mejia, then Guti and finally Sergio Ramos before guiding the ball unerringly from left to right past one of the world’s finest goalkeepers, Iker Casillas.
Henry’s goal was memorable, sparking chants of “adios” from the visiting choirs, who were enjoying the night of their lives. Henry was far from alone in his excellence. Jens Lehmann was magnificent, a constant figure of agile defiance. Kolo Toure was similarly superb at centre-half, there were stars all over midfield where Freddie Ljungberg and Jose Antonio Reyes sparkled most. But all admiring eyes kept being drawn to Henry.
ESPN2 will carry tomorrow’s long awaiting Chelsea v. Barcelona rematch at 2:30 EST ; Setanta U.S. will showcase Werder Bremen v. Juventus at the same time.