A Nigerian police officer reportedly passed away while watching Arsenal beat Real Madrid in the quarterfinal of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal unexpectedly destroyed Madrid at the Emirates Stadium with three brilliant second-half goals, putting themselves in the driving seat ahead of the second leg.
Declan Rice, who until yesterday had never scored a free kick in over 300 games in his professional career, scored two brilliant free kicks, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance.
Spanish midfielder and makeshift striker Mikel Merino scored his eighth goal of the season to make it three and wrap up a convincing victory for the Gunners.
Police officer dies in Calabar
According to Punch NG, a Nigerian police officer sadly lost his life in Calabar while watching Arsenal beat Real Madrid last night.
Inspector Stephen Enang, attached to Akim Police Division along IBB Way in Calabar, was a devout Arsenal fan at a viewing centre seeing the game.
According to an eyewitness, he showed no sign of ill health and celebrated all three goals but was found dead after he did not stand up at the final whistle.
It was there that it was discovered that he had silently passed on after sitting down from jubilating Merino’s goal. His family or the police division has given no further information.
Madrid and Arsenal have all to play for
Arsenal’s realistic chances of winning a trophy are in the UEFA Champions League. After falling 11 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race and having been knocked out of the FA and Carabao Cups, Arsenal is now in the UEFA Champions League.
Madrid’s seasons also depend on the UCL. They are three points behind Barcelona in La Liga and face their rivals in the Copa del Rey final.
The 15-time competition winners have proven they have what it takes to turn the tie around and progress to the next round.
According to Relevo, Carlo Ancelotti’s future is in doubt after last night’s result, and turning the tie around to win the Champions League may not save the Italians.
Discussions about his future had been ongoing for some time, but he escaped the sack after Los Blancos finished the season on a high, winning the La Liga and Champions League trophies.
Xabi Alonso is touted as his replacement, but the former Madrid midfielder opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen last season, which was one of the deciding factors for Ancelotti’s future.
