Two penalties given, one reversed as Atletico and Arsenal draw 1-1
Apr 30, 2026
Berlin [Germany], April 30: Atletico Madrid and Arsenal played to a 1-1 draw in their Champions League semi-final first leg match on Wednesday, with both goals coming from penalties and Arsenal having a second one nullified upon review.
Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres gave Arsenal a 44th minute lead and Julian Alvarez also converted from the spot to level in the 56th.
Antoine Griezmann hit the crossbar for Atletico who were however also lucky when Dutch referee Danny Makkelie reversed another penalty call for Arsenal upon review, with David Hancko's contact with Eberechi Eze considered too minimal.
It was a huge let-off for Hancko who had caused the first penalty by pushing down Gyokeres.
Atletico were the dominant team in the second half after a balanced first, and Arsenal also had to thank goalkeeper David Raya that they remain unbeaten in the European season and that there is all to play in the return leg on Tuesday at Emirates Stadium.
Neither Atletico nor Arsenal have lifted Europe's most important trophy yet, with Atleti losing three finals and Arsenal one.
The winner will face either title holder Paris Saint-Germain or six-time champions Bayern Munich in the May 30 final in Budapest.
PSG won the first leg at home 5-4 on Tuesday in a match for the ages, with the return leg in Munich next week Wednesday.
Source: Qatar Tribune
