Arsenal’s Record-Breaking 7-1 Win Over PSV in the Champions League
Arsenal’s recent 7-1 victory over PSV in the Champions League Round of 16 shattered multiple records. Not only was it Arsenal’s biggest win in a European match since 1993, but it also marked the largest winning margin for an away team in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta’s side dominated from the start, scoring three goals in the opening half-hour before adding four more early in the second half to effectively seal the tie. The Gunners now head into the second leg with a commanding lead.
But Arsenal’s performance isn’t without precedent. There have been 11 instances in Champions League history where a team has won a knockout match by six or more goals. Below, we revisit some of the most lopsided victories in the competition’s knockout stages.
Biggest Champions League Knockout Round Wins
| Season | Round | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 2011/12 | Round of 16 | Bayern Munich 7-0 Basel |
| 2014/15 | Round of 16 | Bayern Munich 7-0 Shakhtar Donetsk |
| 2018/19 | Round of 16 | Man City 7-0 Schalke |
| 2022/23 | Round of 16 | Man City 7-0 RB Leipzig |
| 2024/25 | Knockout play-offs | PSG 7-0 Brest |
| 2006/07 | Quarter-finals | Man Utd 7-1 Roma |
| 2008/09 | Round of 16 | Bayern Munich 7-1 Sporting CP |
| 2011/12 | Round of 16 | Barcelona 7-1 Bayer Leverkusen |
| 2019/20 | Quarter-finals | Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich |
| 2021/22 | Round of 16 | Bayern Munich 7-1 RB Salzburg |
| 2024/25 | Round of 16 | PSV 1-7 Arsenal |
1. Bayern Munich 7-0 Basel (2011/12, Round of 16)
Bayern Munich’s first seven-goal victory in the Champions League came in 2012. After losing the first leg 1-0, Bayern responded with a dominant performance at the Allianz Arena. Mario Gomez scored four goals, while Arjen Robben and Thomas Müller also found the net, securing an 8-1 aggregate win.
2. Bayern Munich 7-0 Shakhtar Donetsk (2014/15, Round of 16)
Shakhtar Donetsk’s chances were dashed early in the second leg when Oleksandr Kucher was sent off in the third minute. Thomas Müller converted the resulting penalty, and Bayern cruised to victory with goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery, Holger Badstuber, Robert Lewandowski, and Mario Götze.
3. Man City 7-0 Schalke (2018/19, Round of 16)
Manchester City carried a 3-2 lead into the second leg and made their superiority count with a commanding win. Sergio Agüero opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and City went on to secure a 10-2 aggregate victory.
4. Man City 7-0 RB Leipzig (2022/23, Round of 16)
Erling Haaland was the star of the show, scoring five goals in 57 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne added a late goal as City secured their place in the quarter-finals.
5. PSG 7-0 Brest (2024/25, Knockout Play-off Round)
PSG destroyed Brest in the first-ever knockout play-off round. Seven different players scored, including January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as PSG advanced with ease.
6. Man Utd 7-1 Roma (2006/07, Quarter-finals)
After losing the first leg 2-1, Manchester United turned on the style at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, helping United to a 10-3 aggregate victory.
7. Bayern Munich 7-1 Sporting CP (2008/09, Round of 16)
Bayern’s 12-1 aggregate win remains the largest in Champions League history. Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Thomas Müller were among the scorers in a dominant display.
8. Barcelona 7-1 Bayer Leverkusen (2011/12, Round of 16)
Lionel Messi scored five goals in a single game, setting a Champions League record. Cristian Tello added two more as Barcelona cruised to victory.
9. Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich (2019/20, Quarter-finals)
Bayern inflicted Barcelona’s heaviest-ever European defeat. Philippe Coutinho, on loan from Barcelona, scored twice against his parent club as Bayern ran riot in Lisbon.
10. Bayern Munich 7-1 RB Salzburg (2021/22, Round of 16)
Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in 23 minutes, the fastest in Champions League history. Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller, and Leroy Sané also got on the scoresheet in a dominant win.
11. PSV 1-7 Arsenal (2024/25, Round of 16)
Arsenal’s 7-1 win matched their biggest European away victory since 1993. Goals from Leandro Trossard, Martin Ødegaard, and others secured a historic result in the Champions League knockout stages.
Arsenal’s emphatic victory joins a prestigious list of dominant performances in the Champions League. As the tournament progresses, history will continue to be made on Europe’s biggest stage.
