Thibaut Courtois once again proved why he is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, the Real Madrid shot-stopper played a crucial role by saving a penalty from Bukayo Saka, keeping the score level at a key moment in the match against Arsenal.

The incident occurred with the score still at 0-0. A foul inside the box by Raúl Asencio on Mikel Merino was awarded after a VAR review, giving Saka the opportunity to put the English side ahead. The winger opted for a risky Panenka-style attempt, but Courtois read it perfectly. With sharp reflexes, the Belgian stretched out his left arm and swatted the ball away, denying Arsenal the opening goal.

The save not only influenced the outcome of the match but also marked a personal milestone for Courtois.

Courtois ties Casillas as the goalkeeper with the most penalty saves for Real Madrid in the Champions League

With that stop, Thibaut Courtois reached three penalty saves in Champions League matches with Real Madrid, tying Iker Casillas for the most penalties saved by a Madrid keeper in Europe’s premier club competition.

The legendary Spanish keeper made those three saves in different editions of the tournament: against Dynamo Kyiv in 2000, Lyon in 2005, and Lazio in 2007, all in the group stage.

In contrast, Courtois has reached that mark in high-pressure moments, making the feat even more impressive. In total, the Belgian has now saved eight penalties since joining the club, across all competitions.

With his standout performance against Arsenal, Courtois not only kept his team alive during a critical stretch of the game, but also continues to build his legacy at Real Madrid. In such tightly contested knockout ties, a single save can change everything — and once again, the Belgian showed he was made for the biggest nights.