UEFA have cleared up any doubts about why Real Madrid saw their penalty overturned on Wednesday night. With the scores goalless midway through a tight first half, referee Francois Letexier initially pointed to the spot when Kylian Mbappe went down in the box under a challenge from Declan Rice.

Arsenal star Rice looked amazed by the decision and immediately protested his innocence to Letexier. Replays showed the challenge was soft but Mbappe was so confident the officials would rule in his favour that he put the ball on the penalty spot. VAR eventually called Letexier over to the pitchside monitor, where he painstakingly reviewed his initial call and decided that it was not a foul after all.

UEFA clarified the decision-making process for the fuming Real Madrid fans by releasing the following statement: "The penalty for Real Madrid has been taken away due to a non-foul by Declan Rice."

Most commentators and pundits working on the game were pleased that officials had come to the right decision, even though it took a five-minute break in play. Former England international Matthew Upson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "[Rice] has his arm round the inside of him and Kylian Mbappe has thrown himself to the floor. That is embarrassing."

Rangers legend Ally McCoist added on TNT Sports: "I'm putting my cards on the table right now - I am delighted to see that decision."

Penalty drama was the order of the first half at the Bernabeu. Before Mbappe's was overturned, Bukayo Saka saw one saved after trying a cheeky Panenka against Thibaut Courtois.

Arsenal came into the second leg 3-0 up after thrashing Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium last week. Another goal would effectively have put the tie to bed, but Saka watched on helplessly as Courtois dropped to his right and easily palmed his chipped attempt to safety.

There were Real Madrid mind games hours before kick-off when, through their official social media channels, they posted: "Ninety minutes at the Bernabeu are very long."

The winner of Wednesday night's heavyweight clash faces Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals after they survived a spirited Aston Villa fightback on Tuesday. PSG were 5-1 up on aggregate and cruising until goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa set up a nervy finish, but Luis Enrique's side held on to keep their European dreams alive.