Nigerian singer’s confident wager backfires as Arsenal dominate first leg of quarter-final clash with stunning goals from Declan Rice and Merino
LAGOS, Nigeria – April 9, 2025 – Popular Nigerian singer Joeboy is nursing more than just heartbreak after losing a hefty N3 million sports bet on Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Real Madrid. The “Alcohol” hitmaker had placed his faith—and a potential N10.3 million payday—on the Spanish giants securing a win at the Emirates Stadium. But his gamble failed spectacularly as Arsenal stormed to a convincing 3-0 victory.
Hours before kick-off, Joeboy shared his bet slip on social media, confidently captioning it: “Cashing out on Arsenal tears tonight!” His post quickly gained traction among fans, with many Real Madrid supporters echoing his optimism. But by the final whistle, it was the Gunners who were celebrating, and Joeboy who was left to quietly log off with a short, somber tweet: “Goodnight.”
From Confident to Crushed: A Bet Gone Bad
Joeboy’s original stake of N3,000,000 was part of a high-stakes wager predicting a Real Madrid win away in London—a result that would have landed him a total payout of N10,345,000. Instead, the singer watched helplessly as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal delivered one of their most complete performances of the season.
Declan Rice, typically known for his defensive midfield prowess, shocked fans by curling in two spectacular free-kicks in the first half—his first ever goals in European competition. The Emirates erupted again when Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino sealed the result with a composed finish in the 75th minute, ensuring Arsenal take a commanding advantage into the second leg.
Fans React to Joeboy’s Loss
The singer’s loss quickly went viral on Nigerian social media, sparking a flurry of memes and banter. Joeboy, who is widely known for his laid-back persona and heartfelt lyrics, took the loss in stride—his brief “Goodnight” tweet seen by many as a humorous nod to the crushing blow.
“Joeboy bet on Madrid, but ended up singing blues,” one user joked. Another tweeted: “Declan Rice cooked up Joeboy’s ticket like Sunday stew!”
Despite the online trolling, several fans also empathized with the singer, pointing out that many bettors shared the same confidence in Real Madrid’s experience and European pedigree.
Arsenal in Top Form, Eyes on the Semi-Final
While Joeboy counted his losses, Arsenal fans basked in a euphoric win that signals the club’s continued return to Europe’s elite. Under Mikel Arteta, the North London side has matured significantly, combining attacking flair with tactical discipline—traits they demonstrated clearly against Madrid.
The Gunners pressed high from the start, dominated possession, and limited Madrid’s attacking threats throughout the 90 minutes. Declan Rice was particularly influential, not just in midfield control but also in set pieces, showing a new dimension to his game.
Merino’s third goal put the tie beyond doubt and marked the midfielder’s sixth goal of the season. His celebration, running to the corner flag while pointing to the badge, encapsulated the energy inside the Emirates.
Arteta praised his team’s performance in the post-match press conference. “We played with intensity, intelligence, and heart,” he said. “But this is just the first half. There’s still work to be done in Madrid.”
Second Leg at the Bernabeu: A Mountain for Madrid
With the second leg set to take place next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu, the pressure now lies firmly on Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Real Madrid, 14-time Champions League winners, will need to produce a historic comeback to overturn the three-goal deficit.
Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior were largely subdued on the night, as Arsenal’s defense—anchored by William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães—held strong. Ancelotti acknowledged his side were second-best, saying, “We didn’t show our level today. Arsenal were better in every department. But we are Real Madrid—we never give up.”
The Spanish side is expected to regroup ahead of the return leg, with tactical changes likely in midfield and attack. Madrid fans, known for their passion and expectation, will demand a response on home soil.
What’s Next for Arsenal
Before traveling to Spain, Arsenal will shift focus back to domestic duties as they prepare to host Brentford this weekend in the Premier League. With the title race still neck-and-neck, Arteta is expected to rotate some of his starters to manage fatigue.
The club’s recent run of form has energized supporters, many of whom believe this could be Arsenal’s year—both in England and Europe. A semi-final appearance would mark their first since 2009, and a step closer to ending a long Champions League drought.
Joeboy’s Lesson in Football Betting
For Joeboy, the night served as a costly reminder of football’s unpredictability. While celebrity wagers are nothing new—especially during major tournaments—his transparency about the loss won him some fans.
“Respect to Joeboy for posting both the bet and the result. That’s real,” one Twitter user commented.
The singer, known for chart-topping tracks like “Baby”, “Sip (Alcohol)”, and “Contour”, hasn’t commented further since his final tweet. Whether he’ll place another public bet ahead of the second leg remains to be seen.
But as fans joked online, he might want to stick to making hits—not picking them.
