Atletico Madrid and Arsenal draw at Metropolitano after penalties decide match

Thursday April 30, 2026

Atletico Madrid and Arsenal will head to London with everything still hanging in the balance after a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night.

Both sides scored from the penalty spot, but Arsenal were left furious after a late VAR review wiped out what appeared to be a strong case for a second spot-kick that could have swung the tie their way.

Atletico named Ademola Lookman on the left and Jan Oblak in goal, while Johnny Cardoso stepped in for the injured Pablo Barrios in midfield. Arsenal, meanwhile, had Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka available only as substitutes.

Anyone anticipating a rerun of Tuesday’s 5-4 classic between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich was bound to find this a far more contained contest, with both teams disciplined, tactically sharp and determined to limit mistakes.

Noni Madueke provided Arsenal’s first opening with a driving run down the right, while David Raya produced a smart save to deny Giuliano Simeone at the other end.

Neither side was prepared to overcommit, and the emphasis on structure was clear throughout the opening period. Madueke tested Atletico from distance, while Arsenal worked hard to shut down the hosts’ attacking moves.

Arsenal struck first from the penalty spot in the last minute of the first half after Viktor Gyokeres was bundled over by David Hancko, and the Swedish forward got to his feet before drilling the ball beyond Oblak.

Atletico responded 11 minutes after the restart when Julian Alvarez converted from the spot after Ben White handled a shot from Marcos Llorente, with the referee standing by the decision after a VAR check.

Antoine Griezmann rattled the crossbar for Atletico in the 62nd minute, and Raya then had to stay sharp to turn away Alvarez’s dangerous corner as the Spanish side enjoyed its strongest spell of the match.

Mikel Arteta turned to his bench with a triple change, sending on Gabriel Jesus, Saka and Leandro Trossard for Gyokeres, Madueke and Martinelli. Even so, Lookman should have put Atletico in front after a swift break, only to prod a weak effort at Raya.

Arsenal believed they had earned another penalty in the 78th minute when Hancko came in late on Eze after a pass from Saka, but despite the contact, VAR overturned the original call.

Arsenal pressed after that ruling, with Declan shooting narrowly wide and Cristhian Mosquera forcing a stop from Oblak, but neither side could find a winner before the final whistle.