Carrying a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg of their last-16 tie, the Spanish giants approached the second leg with control and composure, ultimately eliminating Pep Guardiola’s side for the third consecutive season.
“It’s the players who have turned this situation around with their performance, attitude, effort, talent, and quality,” said Arbeloa.
“Winning as we have today is not easy in such a challenging tie against a team like this, with so many talented players, a deep squad, and a coach like the one we faced.
“Very few people would have said that we would win both matches, so thanks to the players’ work, they deserve it for how they are working and the effort they are putting in.
“I don’t think it has been anything different from what I’ve been doing these past two months, which is working and trying to get the best performance out of my players, ensuring they feel comfortable on the pitch, finding the best position for each one, being a very balanced and united team, and having everyone sacrifice and work together.
“The players have perfectly understood that to defeat anyone, we must be a great team, very united in effort and work.”
The contest turned decisively in the first half when City captain Bernardo Silva was sent off following a VAR review by referee Clement Turpin.
The decision, for a goal-line handball denying a certain goal, resulted in a penalty that Vinicius Junior calmly converted, sending Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way—making amends for a previously saved effort in an earlier meeting.
Despite the uphill task, City began with urgency. Erling Haaland provided a spark just before half-time, finishing well after seeing an earlier first-time effort denied by Thibaut Courtois.
The Madrid goalkeeper was instrumental throughout, producing key saves to deny Rodri and Rayan Cherki, while his defence remained compact and organised.
Federico Valverde had earlier missed a clear one-on-one chance, but it did little to shift the momentum. With a numerical advantage, Madrid took full control after the break as City struggled to impose themselves with ten men.
Vinicius added a second goal in stoppage time to complete his brace and extinguish any hopes of a comeback.
