Champions League: Atlético Madrid and Arsenal neutralize each other in a closed match in the first leg of the semi

Viktor Györkeres and Julian Alvarez both scored a goal from the penalty spot on Wednesday. Everything will remain to be settled in a week, in London.

After the legendary match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich on Tuesday, the other first leg semi-final of the Champions League between Atlético de Madrid and Arsenal predictably produced fewer goals on Wednesday, April 29. In the Spanish capital, the scenario revolved around a story of penalties in favor of both teams, without determining a winner (1-1).

Just before half-time, Viktor Györkeres was the first to strike for the Gunners (44th minute) from a penalty, before Julian Alvarez responded shortly before the hour mark (56th minute). A third penalty had been awarded to the English team at the 80th minute for a foul on Eberechi Eze, but it was ultimately overturned after a VAR review.

Everything will remain to be settled in a week, on Tuesday, May 5, during the return leg in London. Both teams will attempt to secure their ticket to the C1 final, a goal that the Colchoneros have been pursuing for 10 years. Meanwhile, Arsenal has been absent from the final for 20 years, since their defeat against FC Barcelona in 2006.

Less glamorous initially than the anticipated showdown between Paris and Bayern, this clash between Atlético and Arsenal did not surprise in its unfolding. Both teams, already wounded after losing a final each this season (0-2 against Manchester City in the English League Cup final for Arsenal, 2-2 (3-4 on penalties) against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final for Atlético), share a rather grim record in the Champions League as the two teams with the most matches in the competition without lifting the trophy.

Therefore, the opportunity to see them reach the final and break the curse is a task of almost equal importance. The first half symbolized this – and the decline of the two teams towards the end of the season. It was a territorial war, a true tactical match where each forward projection was carefully weighed to avoid disrupting the defensive balance. A game completely different from the previous day’s.

Viktor Györkeres had the merit of opening the scoring with a deserved penalty for a push in the box (0-1, 44th minute). Better in the first half, the Londoners were hit hard early in the second half (49th, 52nd minute), but it was on a new penalty, for a handball by Ben White after a shot by Marcos Llorente, that the players of Mikel Arteta cracked, with Julian Alvarez equalizing (1-1, 56th minute).

The pressure exerted by the Spaniards in the second half was echoed by Antoine Griezmann. The 35-year-old Frenchman was involved in almost all the offensive actions and came close to putting his team ahead. His attempt in the 52nd minute deserved better, as his shot was deflected just in front of the English goal by Gabriel.

Especially, 10 minutes later, his left-footed shot that hit the crossbar of David Raya sent a shiver through the entire Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The excitement turned around in the 78th minute when the entire stadium held its breath on a penalty awarded and then canceled for a foul on Eberechi Eze by David Hancko.

“Grizou,” who is heading to Orlando City and MLS at the end of the season, was named the man of the match after the final whistle, for his last European appearance at his Madrid home. Far from being a scandal considering his performance of the evening.

The return match will be uncertain, even though the Gunners will have the advantage of playing at their Emirates Stadium. On the other hand, the Spaniards will have to break through a fortress: with 10 wins and three draws, the Londoners are still unbeaten this season in the Champions League.