A 3-0 defeat in a Champions League quarterfinal first leg would signal the end of the road for most clubs. 

But Real Madrid are not most clubs. Last week in London, Los Blancos were battered by a confident and clinical Arsenal side that outplayed them in almost every aspect -- from possession to precision. 

Mikel Arteta's men controlled the rhythm with 53.3% possession, 11 shots on target to Madrid's three, and 125 passes in the final third compared to Madrid's meager 80.

The Emirates witnessed a night to remember for the home fans. 

Declan Rice whipped in two world-class free-kicks, and Mikel Merino added the third from close range, while Madrid's only highlight came in the form of Thibaut Courtois, whose saves spared them from an even more humiliating scoreline. Heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu, Madrid are wounded -- but never to be written off.

Because if there's one thing the Champions League has taught over the years, it's this: never bet against Real Madrid.

Their history is steeped in comebacks that defy logic, fueled by a mix of elite mentality, world-class quality, and sheer belief. 

Here's a rewind to the history.

Bayern Munich, 2023-24 Semifinal:

After a 2-2 first leg in Germany, Madrid returned home needing something special. When Alphonso Davies put Bayern ahead in the 68th minute, the tie seemed lost. Enter Joselu -- a late substitute and unlikely hero. In the 88th minute, he pounced on a fumbled save by Neuer. Just three minutes later, he found the net again from a Rüdiger cross, flipping the script and sealing a 4-3 aggregate win.
Madrid went on to lift their 15th European crown, defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final.

Manchester City, 2021-22 Semifinal:

This tie was all but over after Riyad Mahrez scored for City in the second leg, giving them a 5-3 aggregate lead with just 17 minutes to play. But in stoppage time, Rodrygo scored twice within 60 seconds, stunning the footballing world. Into extra time they went -- and Benzema, fouled in the box, converted the decisive penalty to send Madrid through. The eventual final? A 1-0 win over Liverpool.

Chelsea, 2021-22 Quarterfinal:

Madrid had the edge with a 3-1 first-leg lead, but Chelsea roared back at the Bernabéu, scoring three goals and nearly snatching the tie. Rodrygo levelled it with a Luka Modric masterpiece assist, and Benzema, as always, delivered the final blow in extra time.
PSG, 2021-22 Round of 16:
Down 2-0 on aggregate with just over 30 minutes to play, Karim Benzema tore PSG apart with a breathtaking 17-minute hat trick -- turning despair into triumph.

Atletico Madrid, 2013-14 Final -- La Decima:

Madrid were seconds from heartbreak when Sergio Ramos rose highest in the 93rd minute to equalize. In extra time, they ran riot. Bale, Marcelo, and Ronaldo secured a 4-1 win, forever etching that night in Lisbon into club folklore.
These are not just matches – they are monuments to Madrid's refusal to accept defeat. Each comeback has reinforced a culture of belief so deep that even a 3-0 deficit against Arsenal does not seem impossible to overcome.

Yes, Arsenal have the momentum, the lead, and the confidence. But Madrid have the Bernabeu. They have Mbappe, Vinicius, Modric, Bellingham, and an entire squad steeped in European know-how. And more than anything, they have history on their side.

So, when the whistle blows on Wednesday night, it would not be a  surprise if another chapter is written in the saga of Champions League comebacks.

After all, Real Madrid do not just play in the Champions League.

They own it.