'Historic debacle': How the Spanish media reacted to Real Madrid's loss to Arsenal

RICE, RICE, BABY: Arsenal's Declan Rice celebrates scoring against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid don't often get hammered in the Champions League but when they do, the Spanish press react accordingly.

The dust is just about settling now following Declan Rice's two incredible free-kicks, and a neat finish by Merino, which has put Arsenal firmly on course for a place in the semi-finals of the European Cup at the expense of the 15-time winners and current holders.

But given Real's pedigree in this competition, the media in Spain aren't yet ruling out the possibility that they could produce a remarkable comeback.

AS’ headline this Wednesday morning was “Obligado A Otro Milagro” [bound to another miracle], while Marca went with “Humillados Pero... Para El Madrid No Hay Imposibles” [Humiliated but... for Madrid nothing is impossible].

But that would be as kind as the outlets would get.

Marca was also scathing in their coverage, labelling the match as a “debacle”, and that they squad had been “abdicated in the same place where they were crowned champions just under a year ago”.

Mundo Deportivo were the most critical with its front page picturing one of Rice’s free-kicks, with the headline “Humillados” (Humiliated).

Marca was also scathing in their coverage, labelling the match as a “debacle”, and that they squad had been “abdicated in the same place where they were crowned champions just under a year ago”.

They also wrote that “Vinicius, Mbappe, and Rodrygo showed no signs of life,” and also that “Without threatening, Madrid was a toy in the hands of an Arsenal side that battered them from start to finish,” while Ancelotti had a “nightmare” on the night. “The captain didn’t jump ship, but he let it sink.”

Some carried images of a dejected Jude Bellingham, with Sport running the headline “Tocadisimos”, which roughly translates to “down in the dumps” while Kylian Mbappe was also described as being “grey as his shirt”.

Finally the Spanish TV show El Chiringuito claimed the match was a “historic debacle” and “a tragedy in London”.

It must all be music to the ears of Arsenal fans.