Arsenal delivered a stunning performance in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg match, thrashing PSV Eindhoven 7-1 at the Philips Stadion on March 4, 2025.
The English side completely outclassed their Dutch opponents, handing PSV their worst-ever defeat in European competition.
Arsenal set the tone early, with Declan Rice finding the net in the 11th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. PSV had a golden chance to take the lead when Ismael Saibari hit the crossbar from close range, but they were soon punished for their missed opportunity.
Just two minutes later, Rice found space inside the PSV box and sent in a cross that Jurrien Timber headed home to open the scoring. The lead was doubled shortly after when 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly set up fellow teenager Ethan Nwaneri, who smashed the ball into the top corner.
PSV’s defensive struggles continued as Arsenal added a third. The hosts failed to clear the ball on multiple occasions, allowing Mikel Merino to calmly slot past Walter Benitez. PSV fans found a brief moment of hope when Thomas Partey conceded a penalty just before halftime. Noa Lang converted confidently, making it 3-1 at the break.
However, any chance of a comeback was crushed immediately after halftime. Arsenal struck twice in quick succession, with Nwaneri forcing Benitez into a mistake that led to Martin Ødegaard’s goal. Moments later, Riccardo Calafiori set up Leandro Trossard, who lifted the ball into the net with ease.
Ødegaard added another as PSV collapsed, firing a shot that Benitez failed to keep out. Calafiori sealed the humiliation in the 86th minute, making it 7-1 and breaking PSV’s previous record for goals conceded in a European match.
