Julian Álvarez scored a penalty and Atlético de Madrid drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, played on April 29. Viktor Gyökéres had put Arsenal ahead, also from the penalty spot, before Álvarez equalized.

First modification: 04/30/2026 - 02:44

Julián Álvarez's penalty earned Atlético de Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a tense first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals played on April 29.

Viktor Gyökeres put the Premier League leaders ahead from the penalty spot just before half-time after being fouled, but Álvarez equalized the score 10 minutes into the second half after a handball from Ben White.

Arsenal were upset after a late penalty was disallowed following a VAR review, when David Hancko came into contact with Eberechi Eze inside the area.

Atlético were superior for long periods, but Arsenal's solid defense helped them leave the Spanish capital in a good position to return to the Champions League final 20 years after their last appearance.

"We have been the team we had to be; if we play at this level, we can win," declared Atlético's captain, Koke, on Movistar about his team's performance in the second half.

"From my point of view, they didn't create much danger for us... the team defended well and they only had that penalty," he added.

What the match lacked in the dizzying avalanche of goals in Paris Saint-Germain's 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the previous night's other semi-final, it made up for in tension and a desperation not to fall behind.

Doubts from the beginning

Toilet paper rained down from the stands of the Metropolitan stadium minutes before kick-off, in an eye-catching—if wasteful—display that provoked cynical jokes from some quarters about the caliber of the spectacle to come.

In a confrontation between what are possibly the two biggest teams on the continent that have never touched the trophy, neither of them wanted to give way.

Atlético still have a somewhat dated defensive reputation, but they cornered Mikel Arteta's stingy Arsenal in the early stages, with David Raya deflecting Alvarez's shot onto the post.

The 'Gunners', far from Arteta's demand on the eve of the match that they dominate the game, looked for the counterattack, with Marc Pubill blocking Martin Odegaard in a quick breakaway.

Noni Madueke, Arsenal's starter on the right wing – with Bukayo Saka only fit to come off the bench – unleashed a powerful shot from distance that went slightly wide, as last year's defeated semi-finalists sporadically emerged from their half of the field.

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The next time they did it, Gyökeres caused a penalty. The Swedish striker, who might not have started had Kai Havertz been fit, exchanged passes with Martín Zubimendi and was clumsily pushed in the back by Hancko.

Diego Simeone and Atlético veteran Antoine Griezmann pleaded for the decision to be reviewed, but VAR saw no reason to intervene.

Gyökeres took the penalty himself, beating Jan Oblak with a powerful shot, who launched himself in the right direction but had no chance of stopping him.

Atlético responds

Atlético, three-time runners-up and back in the semifinals for the first time in nine years, came out with everything in the second half.

Raya stopped a shot from Ademola Lookman and Gabriel blocked Griezmann's subsequent shot.

The hosts tied from the penalty spot after White touched a Marcos Llorente shot with his hand; The ball bounced and hit him in the arm, which was away from the body.

Álvarez launched it and, having failed in the penalty shootout of the Copa del Rey final at the beginning of April, this time he did not miss, with a relentless shot that rivaled Gyökeres's in the first half.

Griezmann, who is leaving for MLS, sent a shot over the crossbar and then sent the rebound wide, as Atlético pressed for an advantage ahead of next Tuesday's second leg.

Nigerian international Lookman came close to scoring on two occasions and could end up regretting the missed chances.

Arsenal thought they had won a second penalty when substitute Eze went down following a clumsy tackle by Hancko, but the referee changed his mind after consulting VAR and decided that the Slovakian defender's contact had been minimal.

The English team will now face Fulham as they continue their fight with Manchester City for the Premier League title, while, with little at stake in La Liga, Simeone will rotate his squad heavily before this tie is decided in London.

Adapted from its original English version

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